Rabid until proven otherwise: The threat that rabies poses to Oregonians

How we can help protect ourselves, our pets, and our wildlife from the threat of rabies.

By Zoe Michele Beale, Think Wild Hospital Intern

Rabies is a prevalent and deadly disease that causes around 59,000 deaths per year in humans according to the World Health Organization. In the United States, however, there are fewer than ten rabies cases in humans each year according to the Center For Disease Control (CDC). Just because there are not a lot of positive rabies cases in people does not mean that there is not a lot of rabies found in the United States. The CDC reports that there are nearly 4,000 positive rabies cases reported each year in the United States. It can be found in domestic and wild animals, but is more prevalent in wildlife. With the close proximity to wildlife found in Oregon, any chance encounter with a wild mammal has the potential for rabies to spread.

This summer, there have been positive cases of rabies in four Oregon counties. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) has reported cases in Lane County, Deschutes County, Clackamas County, and Jackson County. All of these positive reported cases were rabid bats. Wildlife as well as domestic animals that are not vaccinated can lead to major health
consequences not only for our animals, but for ourselves. Fortunately, the spread of rabies can be prevented and mitigated through understanding of the disease and of how the disease is spread. This understanding can help keep all species safe and healthy.

Graphic that shows the distribution of positive rabies cases across Oregon in 2023. All cases were bats and all cases were concentrated in Deschutes County and the northern Willamette Valley.
This map shows positive rabies cases in the state in 2023. Most of the cases cluster in Deschutes county or the northern Willamette Valley. Photo by Oregon Health Authority

Every year, The Oregon Health Authority publishes a map showing the positive rabies cases reported. So far in 2024, there have been four reported cases. In 2023, there were a total of ten positive rabies cases. All of these cases were bats. Bats are a rabies vector species. Pauline Hice, the director at the wildlife hospital Think Wild, defined a rabies vector species as,“one that can carry the rabies virus and transmit it to other mammals; however the virus is typically not lethal to these species.” Other rabies vector species (RVS) common in Oregon are  raccoons, skunks, and otters. “Treating any predatory mammal as if they are a rabies vector species helps protect our staff and volunteers” Hice commented. Hice has been the director of Think Wild for the past four years and has only seen one positive rabies case in the wildlife hospital, but commented that their hotline gets a lot of calls about bats, “this summer, we have received a significantly higher number of calls regarding bats found on the ground with no visible injuries, as that is sometimes how rabies presents itself in bats.”

Rabies in vector species does not mean that they will be symptomatic. If an animal is positive for rabies, vector species or not, it will present itself in one of two ways. Epidemiologist Tom DeLouhrey, who works at the Oregon Health and Science Institute (OHSU), outlined the two ways that rabies is usually seen in mammals. There is furious rabies which is the stereotypical aggression that rabies is known for. This form of rabies also is where the symptom of foaming at the mouth is seen. This is also where hydrophobia, or fear of water, has been documented where the infected individual physically cannot drink water. The other presentation of rabies is paralytic rabies. This has a common name of “dumb rabies” where an infected animal is essentially paralyzed and unable to move or do anything and the animal dies from respiratory arrest.

Once an animal is suspected to have rabies, it will be sent to the Oregon State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. A necropsy will be performed on the animal as well as rabies testing. The only known way to test for rabies is looking at the deceased brain tissue to see if it was infected with the rabies virus, “During my time at Oregon State University, we did encounter some cases of animals with possible rabies exposure, which were managed through careful necropsy and testing.” Commented Dr. Saum Hadi. Dr. Hadi is a small animal veterinarian in Multnomah county and the owner of Nimbus Pet Hospital.

In Oregon, the law requires all dogs to be vaccinated, and in specific counties, Multnomah for example, requires all cats to be vaccinated, he elaborated on the importance of learning and understanding rabies from his time in vet school, “During veterinary school, significant attention was given to zoonotic diseases, particularly those that could impact both animals and humans, like rabies.” When talking about the importance of vaccinations Dr. Hadi said, “ Vaccinating your pet against rabies is crucial not only for your pet’s health but also for the safety of other animals and humans. Rabies is a deadly disease that can spread to humans through animal bites, and once symptoms appear, it can be fatal. By vaccinating your pet, you are protecting them from the disease and preventing the potential spread to humans.”

Dr. Hadi elaborated on how important it was to learn about zoonotic diseases, or diseases that could spread from animals to humans, “We focused on understanding how these diseases spread, their symptoms in humans, and the transmission routes, such as the fecal-oral route. Zoonotic diseases are a key part of state licensure exams, especially those prevalent in specific regions.” Rabies is not overwhelming in Oregon, but common enough to have very strict rules and regulations on what happens if someone is bitten and there is the possibility of rabies being spread.

Bites from an animal that is a rabies vector species or is infected with rabies can be anything
from an obvious dog or cat bite to a microscopic bite from a bat that would not cause a big
enough hole in a glove to leak.

photo of a little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)
Photo of a little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) by author Zoe Beale

An animal biting can be an unpredictable event and not all domestic mammals are required to be vaccinated for rabies in the state of Oregon, “Besides dogs and cats, I believe ferrets should also be required to be vaccinated for rabies due to their higher risk,” commented Dr. Hadi. If an unvaccinated dog, cat, or ferret bites a human in the state of Oregon there should be a ten day quarantine period for that animal according to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA). The OVMA also states that if any other animal bites a human that euthanasia is recommended in order to conduct rabies testing. Pauline Hice added to the conversation about vaccinating wildlife, “we mitigate the spread of rabies in vector species is that we vaccinate all vector species admitted to Think Wild with the rabies vaccine.” She added that the rabies vaccine that they use is considered ‘off label’ so if one of these animals were to bite a human, they would still need to be tested for rabies according to the Oregon Health Authority.

a skunk is being vaccinated
A skunk being vaccinated Photo by: Amanda McDowell, courtesy of Think Wild

In Oregon, there are some hotspots for rabies. One of these hotspots is just outside of Bend in the area surrounding the High Desert Museum. On a trip to the museum, I saw signs that warned about the proximity to wildlife, specifically the proximity to bats. There is a lot of interaction and potential interaction between humans and wildlife in a place like Bend. With hiking trails and natural areas being one of the main draws to the area, there is a lot of possibility not only for humans and wildlife to cross paths, but also where family pets can cross paths with wildlife as well. To keep all parties safe and sound, Pauline Hice had some suggestions, “To effectively prevent the transmission of the rabies virus, it is advisable to avoid contact with a rabies vector
species (RVS) whenever possible. If handling an RVS is necessary, we recommend wearing heavy-duty welding gloves to minimize the risk of transmission from an accidental bite.” In spaces where pets are allowed Hice added, “Please monitor pets that are outdoors and not on a leash.” These steps can help to mitigate the potential dangers that come with rabies.

An example scenario, if you are out on a hiking trail and see a bat on the ground that is in
distress and you think might have rabies, Hice has the best course of action that a concerned citizen can take to ensure their safety as well as the safety of the animal, “call your local department of fish and wildlife and they should be able to give you instructions on what can be done next. If care is necessary for the animal in question, contact your local rehabilitator for next steps for safe capture of the animal.”

Bats may be the primary rabies vector species in Oregon and have the most positive rabies cases, but that does not mean they should be villainized. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) there are fifteen species of bat in Oregon. Bats are pollinators and eat lots of insects. What is important to remember is to be respectful and aware of all wildlife and take the necessary precautions to protect pets and people. Asking what advice she had for people about rabies in general Hice said, “If you are at all concerned that you may have been exposed to the rabies virus, contact your primary care physician immediately to see if a post exposure shot is necessary [and] never attempt to handle wildlife without speaking with professionals about the correct course of action.” Asking a similar question to Dr. Hadi his words of advice were, “The rabies vaccine is a powerful tool in controlling this virus, and widespread vaccination is key to preventing rabies-related deaths.” Rabies is deadly and does take a toll on wildlife every year, but that should reinforce the diligence necessary to protect all species in Oregon from this disease.

The Oregon Health Authority has a page on their website for rabies protection and prevention. This page has basic information about rabies as well as links to more specific information on how to make a report, rabies vaccine certificate, state rabies maps, bats and rabies, and more.

For wildlife, there are rehabilitation centers all over the state that provide information for concerned citizens when it comes to rabies and wildlife. All of these wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centers are nonprofits that offer care to native injured and orphaned wildlife. They also all have a hotline available for the public to call with any questions.