Maine HHS, Public Health, Infectious Disease Epidemology Program monitors the incidence of animal rabies in Maine and coordinates efforts to prevent human rabies infection.
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 mucoius 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 demestic animals or humans.
Rabies Maps
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