ABSTRACT
Worldwide, the dog is the primary source for the transmission of rabies to man. This is especially true in areas where effective control measures have not been implemented. However, in countries where canine rabies has been controlled but wildlife rabies is still prevalent, the incidence of rabies in cats may exceed that in dogs. In Europe, where the fox is the primary transmitter of rabies, there are almost twice as many cases of rabies in cats as in dogs. 1 In the U.S. the numbers of feline rabies cases have exceeded the numbers of canine cases for each year except one from 1981 through 1989, the last year data were available. 2 – 4 The actual incidence of rabies in cats has remained unchanged through the years, but the increase in the relative incidence compared to that of canine rabies has resulted in the cat becoming the principal source of rabies exposure to humans in some countries. 5 – 9 Thus, rabies in cats is gaining in importance as canine rabies is being controlled.
