Dr. Brett PetersenMedical Officer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rabies in Captive Deer

Emerging Infectious Diseases

National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

Emerging Infectious Diseases January 2012

Based on the article Rabies in Captive Deer, Pennsylvania, USA, 2007–

2010Brett W. Petersen, Danielle M. Tack, Allison Longenberger, Aliza Simeone, Mària E. Moll,

Marshall P. Deasy, Jesse D. Blanton, and Charles E. Rupprecht

What is the purpose of deer farms?

Farmed deer are used for:

Stocking hunting preserves

• These deer are often bred to have large antlers to

make them appealing to hunters

Producing other products such as:

• venison meat

• deer skins or hides

• deer urine, which can be used as an attractant for

hunting

• velvet antlers used in traditional Chinese medicine

Why was your study concentrated in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is the first state where rabies

was identified in captive deer

Since the article has been published,

additional cases have been reported in

other states

There may be increasing awareness that deer can

get rabies, and so now more cases are being

recognized

What is One Health?

One Health

A concept that emphasizes the

interconnectedness of human health, animal

health, and the environment

Efforts to improve health should encourage

collaboration among human medicine,

veterinary medicine, and the environmental

sciences

What is the solution to captive deer getting the rabies virus?

Vaccination

Vaccinating an animal not only protects that animal

but also prevent it from spreading the disease

Minimizing contact between deer and

animals that can spread rabies

E.g. storing food away from where the deer are held

can help keep wild animals from coming into

contact with deer

What should people do if they have been

exposed to the rabies virus?

If a person is bitten by an animal that might

have rabies

First, wash the wound with soap and water

Then, seek medical attention as soon as possible

to determine if vaccination is needed

• If the biting animal is available for testing or

observation, this can also help determine if rabies

vaccination is needed

Rabies is completely preventable if proper

medical care is given soon after the

exposure occurs

How big of a threat is this?

The risk to people is low Rabies is still rare among deer

There has never been a human case of rabies associated with deer

It is still important to be aware of the risk of rabies and to avoid contact with animals that can spread the disease

People should make sure their dogs and cats are vaccinated to protect not just the pets, but the people in contact with their pets, as well

For more information, please contact:Emerging Infectious DiseasesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop D61, Atlanta, GA 30333, USATelephone: 1-404-639-1960/Fax: 1-404-639-1954E-mail: eideditor@cdc.gov Web: http://www.cdc.gov/eid/

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Thank you to all authorsBrett W. Petersen, Danielle M. Tack, Allison Longenberger, Aliza Simeone, Mària E. Moll,

Marshall P. Deasy, Jesse D. Blanton, and Charles E. Rupprecht