Feline and Canine Rabies in New York State, USA

Abstract

In New York State, domestic animals are no longer considered rabies vector species, but given their ubiquity with humans, rabies cases in dogs and cats often result in multiple individuals requiring post-exposure prophylaxis. For over a decade, the New York State rabies laboratory has variant-typed these domestic animals to aid in epidemiological investigations, determine exposures, and generate demographic data. We produced a data set that outlined vaccination status, ownership, and rabies results. Our data demonstrate that a large percentage of felines submitted for rabies testing were not vaccinated or did not have a current rabies vaccination, while canines were largely vaccinated. Despite massive vaccination campaigns, free clinics, and education, these companion animals still occasionally contract rabies. Barring translocation events, we note that rabies-positive cats and dogs in New York State have exclusively contracted a raccoon variant. While the United States has made tremendous strides in reducing its rabies burden, we hope these data will encourage responsible pet ownership including rabies vaccinations to reduce unnecessary animal mortality, long quarantines, and post-exposure prophylaxis in humans.

Keywords: New York; USA; canine; epidemiology; feline; rabies; raccoon variant; vaccination.

Figure 1

Ownership and vaccination status of cats submitted to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Rabies Laboratory.

Figure 2

Ownership and vaccination status of rabies-positive cats submitted to the NYSDOH Rabies Laboratory.

Figure 3

Ownership and vaccination status of rabies-positive cats submitted to the NYSDOH Rabies Laboratory that had either bitten or scratched a human.

Figure 4

Number of rabies-positive cats based on New York county data (excluding New York City and Long Island).

Figure 5

Ownership and vaccination status of dogs submitted to the NYSDOH Rabies Laboratory. Inset shows details of the eight dogs that were positive over the same 2008–2020 timeframe.