Rabies

Question 1

Rabies

Answer 1

 Rabies is caused by neurotropic viruses of
the genus Lyssavirus in the family
Rhabdoviridae, and is transmissible to all
mammals. As the viruses are transmissible to
humans, all suspected infected material must
be handled under the appropriate safety
conditions

? Classical rabies virus is found worldwide,
and is responsible for the overwhelming
majority of reported animal and human
rabies cases. Other lyssaviruses appear to
have more restricted geographical and host
range, with the majority having been isolated
from bats. However, all lyssaviruses tested to
date cause clinical disease indistinguishable
from classical rabies.

Question 2

rabid animal

Answer 2

 means an animal in which unquestionable

laboratory tests have confirmed rabies;

Question 3

potentially rabid animal

Answer 3

 an animal that shows the symptoms of the
disease, or
 an animal that is symptomless but has been
bitten by a potentially rabid animal, and
 a wild mammal which behaves strangely or
attacks humans;

Question 4

potentially rabies-infected animal

Answer 4

 means an animal that has or may have
contacted a rabid or potentially rabid animal
within the last 90 days;

Question 5

rabies-risky animal

Answer 5

 means any mammal that has attacked or bitten
humans,
 or any dog that has not received an anti-rabies
vaccination in accordance with the regulations

The animal keeper shall arrange , at his/her own cost,
for the vaccination of all dogs above 3 months of age
to be performed by the private veterinarian
responsible for the animal health supervision of such
dogs as follows:
 within 30 days after reaching 3 months of age,
 within 6 months after the first vaccination,
 every year afterwards;
 On areas with confirmed cases of rabies the chief
district veterinarian may order the regular preventive
vaccination of cats against rabies. In this case the
immunization shall be performed in accordance with
the rules applicable to the vaccination of dogs.
 The preventive vaccination of other animals against
rabies may be performed by the private veterinarian
upon the request and at the cost of the animal
keeper.
 The animals withdrawn from any compulsory
vaccination or vaccination ordered by the animal
health authority shall be vaccinated on the basis of
the official veterinary’s resolution, and a fine
specified shall be imposed on the owner of such
animals.
 In order to prevent and control rabies in foxes, the
immunity of the wild fox population to rabies shall be
ensured through oral vaccination.

Question 6

Official measures with Potensially rabid animal

Answer 6

The potentially rabid domestic animals or
susceptible animals kept in captivity shall be killed
or, upon the animal keeper’s request, put under
official monitoring for 90 days if the conditions of
such monitoring can be ensured without any
problem. The animals showing clinical symptoms
shall be inspected daily, while the animals not
showing clinical symptoms shall be inspected
weekly.
 The potentially rabid stray or wild animals shall be
killed and then the official veterinarian shall be
informed without delay.

Question 7

The potentially rabies-infected animals shall

Answer 7

be put under official
monitoring for 90 days.
 The potentially rabies-infected carnivorous animals shall be
monitored under separation at the place of their keeping,
inspected once every three weeks or, if their safe separation is
not possible at an official place.
 The potentially rabies-infected non-carnivorous animals shall
be inspected once every 3 weeks. During the monitoring period
the animals shall be kept and preferably tied and separated to
avoid their contact with humans or other animals.

Question 8

The potensially rabies-risky animals shall

Answer 8

animals shall be put under
official monitoring for 14 days and, unless
they already have it, the dogs shall be
marked with an electronic transponder (a
microchip implanted under the skin) at the
owner’s cost. At the end of the monitoring
period it is necessary to order the anti-rabies
vaccination of the dogs not having a valid
anti-rabies vaccination.
 The rabies-risky carnivorous animals shall be
monitored on the dog keeper’s site or, in lack of that,
on any other site available and suitable for such
purpose inhibiting any contact with humans and
other animals.
 The animals showing any clinical symptoms shall be
inspected daily until they are fully recovered, while
the animals not showing clinical symptoms shall be
inspected weekly.
 The rabies-risky non-carnivorous animals shall be
monitored at the place of their keeping or separation.

Question 9

Who may preform autopsy?

Answer 9

Only the official veterinarian may perform an
autopsy on the carcasses of rabid and
potentially rabid animals. The autopsy shall
be limited to the taking samples for the
laboratory tests

The autopsy of the rabid or potentially rabid
animal or the removal of its head for
diagnostic purposes may be performed only
in protective clothes to exclude the risk of
infections.

Question 10

Public health rules

Answer 10

The official veterinary shall notify the
competent regional institution of medical
authority if
 he/she confirms rabies or potential rabies;
 he/she becomes aware of the fact that a
rabid or potentially rabid or potentially rabiesinfected
animal has bitten (attacked) any
person.

Question 11

Upon the detection of any wound caused by a dog,

cat or wild animal

Answer 11

the physician caring for the wound
shall immediately notify in writing the competent
official veterinary authority about the information
available with regard to the circumstances of the
case including, in particular, the name and home
address of the animal keeper. Based on such
notification, the official veterinarian shall take the
necessary measures without delay.