Rabies

Rabies is a fatal disease that can be transmitted from animals, specifically mammals,
to people. The virus is often transmitted from the bite of an infected animal; it infects the nervous system causing disease in the brain and then death. Public health and animal health officials work together with human healthcare providers to prevent this disease in humans and animals.

The Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory conducts animal rabies testing for the state of Kansas as a fee-for-service. This is laboratory-confirmed rabid animals are reported to Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response (IDER); a follow-up investigation is conducted for each positive, unsuitable, or indeterminant case.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment's IDER staff answer approximately 450 calls each year on rabies-related issues and provide technical support to local health departments, healthcare providers, veterinarians, and the public. If you have a question about rabies, including consultation for post-exposure prophylaxis, call the Epidemiology Hotline at Phone: 877-427-7317 for immediate assistance. Veterinarians, human healthcare providers, animal control officers, law enforcement, pharmacists, and others can call this number after regular business hours to receive a consultation with a trained epidemiologist.

Rabies Resources

28-1-13 Rabies Control (PDF)
- The isolation of mammals causing exposure to rabies for observation and examination as well as observation, quarantine, or disposition of mammals exposed to rabies are specified in the following document that is adopted by reference
  Rabies Control Requirements, October 19, 2017 (PDF)
28-1-14 Rabies control in wildlife mammals (PDF)
- Prohibits the sale or vaccination of skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and other wild animals known to carry rabies.
Management of Animals Exposed to Rabies Algorithm 2016 (PDF)