Fogelman V, Fischman H R, Horman J T, Grigor J K
Department of Epidemiology, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1993 Jun 1;202(11):1829-33.
The epizootic of rabies in raccoons in Maryland has been accompanied by 129 confirmed cases of rabies in cats from Jan 1, 1983 to Sept 30, 1992 and only 12 cases in dogs. An epidemiologic and clinical study of rabies in cats was conducted for the period Jan 1, 1983 to May 31, 1986. Only 3 of 31 rabid cats had a history of being currently vaccinated against rabies, and 13 were of unknown ownership. A history of prior wound or injury within 6 months of onset of signs of rabies was reported in 11 of the cats and most of these had a wound in a hind limb. The median interval between reporting of a wound and a development of rabies was 4 to 6 weeks. Rabies in cats is difficult to diagnose in the early stages and, of the 14 cats examined by a veterinarian, only 3 were believed to have rabies on initial examination. Major signs of rabies in cats reported by veterinarians included behavior change, gait abnormality, strange or unusual look in the eyes, and a wound within the preceding 6 months. Owners reported increased frequency of vocalization as an early sign. Postexposure treatment was given to 194 human beings including 63 veterinarians or their personnel. The estimated cost of postexposure biologics was +68,000.
1983年1月1日至1992年9月30日期间，马里兰州浣熊狂犬病流行的同时，有129例猫狂犬病确诊病例，而犬狂犬病确诊病例仅12例。对1983年1月1日至1986年5月31日期间的猫狂犬病进行了流行病学和临床研究。31只患狂犬病的猫中，只有3只目前有接种狂犬病疫苗的记录，13只猫的主人情况不明。11只猫报告在出现狂犬病症状前6个月内有过先前伤口或受伤史，其中大多数猫的伤口在后肢。报告伤口到狂犬病发病的中位间隔时间为4至6周。猫狂犬病在早期很难诊断，在接受兽医检查的14只猫中，初诊时只有3只被认为患有狂犬病。兽医报告的猫狂犬病主要症状包括行为改变、步态异常、眼睛奇怪或异常的外观，以及在过去6个月内有伤口。主人报告说，发声频率增加是早期症状。194人接受了暴露后治疗，其中包括63名兽医或其工作人员。暴露后生物制品的估计费用为68,000美元。
