Communicable Diseases - Gate City, Rabies Prevention, Scott County Health Department

The health department may assist in providing pre-exposure treatment for rabies to persons potentially at-risk to occupational exposure to rabies. If the offending animal cannot be found or captured, we advise potentially exposed persons, in consultation with their physician and the Health Director, regarding post-exposure treatment. Whenever a human being sustains an exposure to a mammal in such a manner as rabies is a concern the health department should be notified as soon as possible after the exposure occurs. Post-exposure treatment (PET) consists of shots of immune globulin and rabies vaccine (a series of 4 injections given over 2 weeks). PET must begin prior to the development of rabies' symptoms, and is usually started as soon as possible after the exposure, generally within ten to fourteen days after the bite or exposure.