Evaluation of a postexposure rabies prophylaxis protocol for domestic animals in Texas: 2000-2009.

The research article evaluates the effectiveness of postexposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP) protocol for domestic animals in Texas from 2000 to 2009.

Introduction

• The study aims to ascertain the effectiveness of the mandated rabies PEP protocol for domestic animals in Texas and to evaluate any failures of preexposure or postexposure vaccinations during the period from 2000 to 2009.
• Collecting data retrospectively, the researchers looked into the cases of 1,014 unvaccinated and 12 vaccinated domestic animals, including dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and a llama, that had received PEP and may have experienced failure of protection.

Methods

• The researchers reviewed zoonotic incident reports spanning a decade for information regarding domestic animals that became a subject of the state PEP protocol after exposure to a laboratory-confirmed rabid animal.
• The state-mandated PEP protocol required an immediate vaccination against rabies, 90 days of animal isolation, and booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of the isolation period.

Results

• Results from the decade-long study revealed that all 1,014 animals that had received PEP, experienced no failures. However, one preexposure vaccination failure was recorded.

Conclusion

• The conclusion drawn from the study showed that the Texas PEP protocol in use for a decade was effective.
• The model PEP protocol for unprotected domestic animals subjected to rabies included immediate vaccination against rabies, strict isolation for a period of 90 days, and dispensation of booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of the isolation period.