WYOMING has a new rule which requires cats and dogs deemed "unvaccinated" for rabies to be immediately euthanized if they either scratch or bite a human. This seems a rather harsh rule as it stands but may have been devised as an incentive for more people to have their animals vaccinated.
However, when one considers the implications of such a law (and the smaller print contained therein) it seems the aims of the Wyoming authorities have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. Vaccinated animals overdue for boosters by even a week are considered to be unvaccinated, despite science showing that durations of immunity for the rabies vaccine extend well beyond the mandatory three years. At the present time there is a move by Veterinary Associations and the public to eliminate any vaccinations that are not necessary and excess to requirements, making vaccination for rabies every five to seven years a much healthier choice and one that actually increases rather than decreases the level of immunity.
Study results published in 1992 by Michel Aubert's research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge five years post-vaccination, and serological studies done by Dr. Ronald Schultz of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine show that dogs have antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies seven years post-vaccination. Based on this scientific research, any dog euthanized in Wyoming under this new rule within five to seven years of a rabies vaccination will be killed for no logical reason at all and could not pass on rabies if it tried.
The Wyoming authorities are obviously behind the times and have not availed themselves of the huge amount of research reading matter available on the subject. There is no excuse for such inadequacy. If those making the laws have no time to read new material about any proposed new laws, then they should refrain from giving any input regarding that law until such time as they bring themselves up to speed.
The Center for Disease Control has no recorded cases of any dog contracting rabies after receiving two rabies vaccinations. The implication is that two rabies vaccinations confer a lifetime of immunity. The veterinarian experience of being vaccinated against rabies indicates the same. The Populations at Risk for Rabies sheet from Chiron Corporation, manufacturers of the RabAvert rabies vaccines for humans, is accessible at http://www.rabavert.com/risk.html. Their pre-exposure vaccination recommendation for veterinarians, who are at greater risk than the general population for contracting rabies, is for a "primary course with no serologic testing or booster vaccination". In other words, after the initial series of rabies vaccinations, it is not recommended that veterinarians receive further boosters or serological testing, they are considered to be immune to a challenge for life.
There is no indication that the immune system of canine patients functions in any way different from the human immune system. This strongly suggests that, like the human rabies vaccine, the canine rabies vaccine also provides lifelong immunity.
A French rabies challenge study was published in Scientific Technical Review (Rev. sci.tech. Off. int. Epiz.) 1992, 11 (3), 735-760. Anyone wishing to obtain an original copy from the publisher can contact: Magdalena Banaszak, Publications Department OIE, 12, rue de Prony, 75017 Paris. Tel. + 33 (0)1 44 15 19 64, fax + 33 (0)1 42 67 09 87, or e-mail: m.banaszak@oie.int. - Information provided by Kris L. Christine, co-trustee, co-founder, The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust. http://www.zbirdbrain.com/PetAdvocatesTownHallCisSupportStudy.htm
