Rabies in the Wild

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Abstract
A general review was made of past records of rabies in wild animals in the U.S. and specific material is presented on the rabies epizootic in Eastern U. S. to June, 1947. Rabies occurs in foxes over much of the Allegheny Plateau from New York to Louisiana. The more prevalent species of fox in the region shows the higher rate of incidence. In Ohio, the ratio of positive rabies was 6 gray foxes to 1 red fox. Rabies was enzootic in Ohio foxes at least since 1941 and became epizootic in 1945 in the s.-e. part of the State where the fox population was highest. In some areas, a high proportion of the fox population has been destroyed by rabies or by human efforts to stop the rabies epizootic. Laboratory diagnosis was made from brain smears prepd. for demonstration of Negri bodies; clinical diagnosis was made mostly by the loss of fear for man and dogs. Of all cases reported, over half the animals checked in laboratories were positive for Negri bodies. Stomach contents showed little departure from normal eating habits. Loss of live-stock, particularly cattle, has been high in regions where rabies is prevalent in foxes; 700 cattle were reported killed by rabies in Washington Co., Ohio, in 1946. The proportion of losses due to foxes and that due to dogs could not be detd. Human deaths from rabies infection by foxes have been very few. Other wildlife, particularly skunks and bob-cats, are known to be affected with rabies. Control of rabies at present is limited to control in dogs by vaccination and quarantine, vaccination of animals known to have been exposed, and mass destruction of susceptible wildlife in affected areas.

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