Article I: Prevention and education regarding rabies in human beings

Substantial changes in the epizootic characteristics of rabies have transpi red in the United States during the past 50 years. Traditional veterinary p ractices and public health recommendations have effectively controlled rabi es in dogs and prevented associated human fatalities; however, they have be en unable to adequately address the problem of rabies in wildlife. Attribut able in part to a renewed focus on emerging infectious diseases, a conferen ce was held at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1993 to be gin discussion focused on the reemergence of rabies and to formulate new su ggestions for prevention and control of rabies in the United States. Three major working groups were formed from a national committee of professionals representing a broad array of biomedical disciplines. These groups concent rated on prevention of rabies in human beings, education, laboratory diagno sis of rabies, and rabies control in animals. The groups described the perc eived minimum requirements to promote prevention and control of rabies in t he United States into the next century. The following article describes the needs and recommendations identified by the prevention and education worki ng group. Two other articles, scheduled for the Nov 15 and Dec 1, 1999 issu es of JAVMA, will relay the needs and recommendations of the working groups on laboratory diagnosis of rabies and rabies in wildlife.