Health Information Portal (HIP)

Animal Exposures

Topic	Priority Priority Alert Conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention. Advisory Provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action. Notification Provides information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action. Update Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action.	Date of Alert
World Rabies Day Clinical Reminders: Indications for Human Rabies Testing and Management of Animal Exposures in Philadelphia	Notification	Oct 1, 2018
Increased Identification of Rabid Cats in Philadelphia: Reminders for Animal Exposure Reporting and Administration of Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis	Advisory	Jul 28, 2017

Surveillance

Animal bites or other types of animal exposures such as scratches or contact with an animal's saliva or brain material could potentially transmit the rabies virus to humans. Patients with animal exposures may need post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to protect against rabies. Below are resources and guidance materials for healthcare professionals regarding animal exposures.

Vaccine Information

Rabies Immune Globulin and Vaccine Information

• CDC Rabies Biologics

Call the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Division of Disease Control for assistance with rabies PEP for uninsured or underinsured patients at 215-685-6742.

Diagnosis & Management

Animal Exposure Reporting

Who: Animal exposure reports can be made for any individual (e.g. patients, students not under care, employees, etc).

What: Report bites, scratches, or mucous membrane contact with animal saliva or brain material that could possibly transmit the rabies virus from any animal (wild, stray, or domestic).

Why: We live in a region where rabies occurs among wild mammals. PDPH can provide services (i.e., 10-day observation of domestic animals, rabies testing) that aid the clinical decision whether to administer post-exposure prophylaxis to the victim.

How: Call the Philadelphia Department of Public Health at 215-685-6748 and fax the completed Animal Exposure reporting form (fillable PDF) to 215-238-6947.
*Provide information on the human victim and the animal including detail on its location.

Clinical Management of Animal Exposures and Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

• PDPH Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Guidelines by Type of Animal
• Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommendations for Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Resources

For Healthcare Providers:

• PDPH Rabies Information and Prevention (PDF)
• Report a health or safety concern in Philadelphia.
• Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT Philly) Homepage
• PADOH Rabies Fact Sheet
• National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV)'s Compendium and Resources of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control

CDC Related Links:

• Explore more information about rabies.
• Learn about rabies pre-exposure vaccination guidance.
• Read more information about pre-exposure rabies vaccination for international travelers.

For Patients and Community Members:

Posters:

There are no posters for Animal Exposures.