Rabies prophylaxis following the feeding of a rabid pony

Abstract

A survey was performed to identify people who were exposed to a rabid pony and determine whether or not they received rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). Sixty-one visitors who came in contact with the rabid pony were identified. These visitors heard about the rabid pony via the news media. Forty-five visitors were exposed during the 2 weeks before the pony died. Thirty-two of these 45 visitors received PEP. Thirty-one visitors had or may have had saliva contact to an open wound or mucosa and all 31 received PEP. Fourteen visitors had no saliva contact to a wound or mucosa and one received PEP. Sixteen visitors were exposed before the pony was potentially shedding rabies virus and one received PEP. No visitor was bitten by the pony. Most of the persons 31/33 (94%) who received PEP had an exposure for which PEP was indicated. Nonbite transmission of rabies is discussed.