Rabies vaccinations will begin Thursday

SEVIERVILLE -- "Unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal should be euthanized immediately."

The recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes clear the gravity of the situation involving an unvaccinated pet. Local pet owners can avoid the risk of exposing their cats or dogs to rabies by taking advantage of upcoming clinics that offer $10 vaccines. The series of eight clinics is offered by the Tennessee Department of Health, Sevier County Health Department and area veterinarians. In Tennessee, rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs are required by law.

According to a 2014 report by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, "domestic animals accounted for 47.9 percent of all animals submitted for testing, but only 7.37 percent of all rabies cases reported." The statistics, the most recent available on the CDC's website, cover 2014 reported cases of rabies in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Nationwide, there were 59 rabid dogs and 272 rabid cats reported in 2014. The AMVA report also listed 78 rabid cattle nationwide, as well as low numbers of rabies in other animals, including one rabid llama in South Carolina. There were 19 humans in 16 states who were tested for rabies in 2014, with an infection in one of those cases. A supplement to the 2014 report identified two human cases of rabies in 2015.

Wild animals make up the bulk of rabies cases. The 2014 AMVA report states that 92.61 percent of rabies cases were in wild animals, with raccoons leading the number of cases - a nationwide trend for the past two decades. In Tennessee, skunks outnumber raccoons in reported cases of rabies. There were 40 total cases of rabies in 2014 in the state, with 38 cases of rabies in wildlife, one dog case, and one cattle case. In Tennessee, skunks accounted for 29 of the reported rabies cases, with bats accounting for 8 cases and one case of rabies in a Tennessee raccoon.

"Rabies is still a threat in Tennessee, so it's important that all pet owners keep their dogs and cats up-to-date on rabies vaccinations," Brad Russell said in a prepared statement. Russell serves as environmental health specialist with the Sevier County Health Department. "Rabies vaccinations protect people as well as pets, since our pets are more likely than people to come into contact with wild animals that may have rabies, and unvaccinated pets could then spread the virus to humans."

Pets do not have to be bitten by an animal in order to be exposed to rabies - scratches can expose them, as well. The CDC recommends that for owners unwilling to have their exposed pets euthanized, "the animal should be placed in strict isolation for six months and vaccinated one month before being released."

Officials with the Tennessee Department of Health point out that rabid animals "are not always aggressive and may carry the rabies virus without showing any recognizable signs of infection." One example cited is a nocturnal animal that is seen outside during daylight hours.

Russell said that the Sevier County Health Department hosts the rabies clinics once each year. Participating veterinarians volunteer their time at the clinics.

An added bonus of getting pets vaccinated is the Tennessee Department of Health's new service allowing lost pets to be searched using their rabies tag numbers. A March 29 press release describes the rollout of the website as a tool to help pet owners get reunited with lost cats and dogs. "We've received excellent cooperation from veterinarians across the state who understand the emotional toll of losing a beloved pet and are eager to help return missing dogs and cats to their owners," TDH commissioner John Dreyzehner said in the March announcement. Shelley Walker, TDH deputy director of communication and media relations, said there were more than 1,000 unique page views of the site during April.

"Those who find a pet can simply look up the TDH rabies tag number on our website to find the vet who administered the vaccination," Dreyzehner continued. "That vet can, in turn, use the tag number to identify the owner and be part of the reunion process." Russell said that health department employees have heard stories of the site being used already to reunite lost pets and owners. The new service is especially helpful in cases involving a lost pet that has not been microchipped. The list of Tennessee rabies tag numbers is available at http://tn.gov/health/article/rabies-tags.

The upcoming local rabies clinics take place at eight locations (see accompanying list) May 4-16. Information is available from the Sevier County Health Department at 865-453-2787. Information about rabies is available from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/rabies.

Contact Juli at jneil@themountainpress.com or on Twitter at @NeilWatsonJ.

Rabies Clinics

All clinics take place 6:30-7:15 p.m.

May 4 Gatlinburg-Pittman High School and Wearwood Elementary School

May 9 New Center Elementary School and Seymour Intermediate School

May 11 Dupont Community Center and Pigeon Forge Middle School

May 16 Northview Primary and Sevier Farmers Co-op

Vaccinations are $10. Tennessee law requires that cats and dogs be vaccinated. For additional information about the rabies clinics, call the Sevier County Health Department at 865-453-2787.