Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Rabies is a rapidly progressing virus that causes death and is almost always spread by an animal bite — but can also be spread when a rabid animal’s saliva gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin. The primary sources of human infection worldwide are dogs and certain wildlife species, such as fox, skunk, raccoon, mongoose, and bat.  Other domestic animals easily infected are cats, goats, cattle and horses.

The CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/  provides critical information for travelers and for general knowledge.

Each year throughout the world, rabies kills approximately 50,000 people, mostly children. It is thought this number is much higher due to underreporting.  Generally, the risk of rabies from domestic animals is low for people in the United States (and Canada).  Lifestyle and job can increase this risk and warrants preventive vaccination in some high risk circumstances such as for veterinarians.   For those people who travel to other parts of the world, the risk of rabies may be higher. 

Consider these two scenarios …

The latest outbreak of raccoon strain rabies started in 2015 when an animal was inadvertently moved to Ontario from over 500 kilometres away. This was the first time raccoon rabies had been detected in Ontario in over a decade.  Every year throughout the summer and fall the government:  distribute oral rabies vaccine baits (PDF) by hand, bait station, helicopter and airplane; conduct trap-vaccinate-release of wildlife in high risk areas; test dead, sick, and strange acting wildlife; conduct research to help improve the effectiveness of rabies control operations.  Oral Rabies vaccine is Only used for wildlife, Not domestic animals.

An outbreak of rabies in dogs has been ongoing in Bali, Indonesia, since November 2008. As of November 1, 2011, more than 100 people have died from rabies in Bali since the outbreak began. Human and animal rabies cases have been confirmed near popular tourist destinations throughout the island. Efforts, including vaccinating dogs for rabies, have been made to control the outbreak. These efforts appear to be helping to manage the outbreak on the island.  

Flores is an isolated previously rabies-free Indonesian island which has been experiencing a canine Rabies outbreak which resulted in at least 113 human deaths.  It started with the importation of three dogs from rabies

What is the point of all this information to someone in Rabies-free American Samoa?

Rabies is an emerging disease problem in many islands of Indonesia which were previously considered rabies free. Because of competing public health priorities and the complex nature of rabies control activities, the disease is still neglected in many countries, according to Veterinary World through the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a branch of the National Institutes of Health.

Rabies virus is potentially as close as your nearest airport or seaport.

What can we do to maintain our Rabies-free status here in American Samoa?

Insist that prior to entry into American Samoa, all domestic animals are Rabies vaccinated, and Tested (FAVN test to ensure this vaccine has worked).  This is exactly the current requirements for entry of cats and dogs into American Samoa.

This requirement for entry should be strictly in place for sea and air entry. Exceptions lead to Risk.  

Anything else?

Another important barrier is proper dog care and control.  Complacent attitudes toward roaming dogs, and toward the high numbers of dog bites is a perfect storm should Rabies virus arrive on American Samoa shores.