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MeCDC > DDC Home > Infectious Epidemiology Program > Zoonotic > Rabies

Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program

  Zoonotic Diseases - Rabies

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What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) that is almost always fatal. Rabies in humans is very rare in the U.S., but rabies in animals -- especially wildlife -- is common in some parts of the country. The rabies virus lives in the saliva, brain and spinal cord tissue of animals and is spread when they bite or scratch. The virus can also be spread if saliva or nerve tissue touches broken skin or a mucous membrane (in the mouth, nose or eyes).

Managing a potential rabies exposure

The Maine Rabies Management Guidelines, most recently updated in 2005, is a useful tool when an exposure to a rabid animal is suspected. Commonly used by animal control officers, veterinarians, and healthcare providers, these guidelines may assist community partners in animal quarantine and testing options, human pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, and rabies prevention considerations.

Animal testing

Animal rabies testing is available free of charge at the Maine State Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory, located at 221 State Street, Augusta, when the suspected animal has had contact with domestic animals or humans.

  • Maine CDC Rabies Fact Sheet  Word* | PDF*
  • Animal Rabies Quarterly Report – updated October 9, 2009 Word* |  PDF*
  • Rabies Management Guidelines  PDF*
  • 2007 Annual Report - Rabies section Word* | PDF*
  • Bat and Rabies Fact Sheet   PDF*
  • Bat and Rabies Brochure  PDF*
  • HETL Rabies Data by Year  HTML
  • Rabies Surveillance Report – 2008  PDF*
  • Rabies Surveillance Report – 2007  PDF*
  • Rabies Surveillance Report – 2006  PDF*
  • Rabies Alert for Hunters  Word*
  • Pre-Exposure Vaccination Clinics Excel*
  • Pre-Exposure Antibody Testing  PDF*
  • Rabies Submission Form Word* | PDF*
  • District Health Profiles - Rabies in Animals
  • Wildlife Services program External site disclaimer - part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) rabies prevention page
  • Rabies Federal CDC Page External site disclaimer