About Rabies
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that mainly occurs in mammals. Humans can contract the rabies virus if bitten by an animal infected with rabies. In the U.S, rabies infection has been mostly present in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, and bats. Domestic animals such as dogs and cats account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases. For more information concerning rabies, visit
Center for Disease Control and Prevention Rabies Information. For information regarding animal rabies vaccination services in Collin County, see the
Animal Vaccination Clinics section at the bottom of this page.
Patients--How to Obtain Rabies Biologicals for Bite Victims
CCHCS does not provide pre-exposure rabies vaccinations to the public for travel purposes or for veterinary students/professionals.
If you have been scratched, bitten, or had some other type of exposure to an animal which you feel may have had rabies, go to your nearest hospital emergency room immediately (and notify your primary care physician) since a medical evaluation is required in order to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is appropriate in your situation.
If the injury was caused by an animal that can be located (dog or cat living in a neighborhood) it must be reported to the Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) and they will determine if and how the animal is quarantined (see Reporting Animal Bites and/or Exposure to Rabies below).
Please see the following for detailed instructions on obtaining rabies biologicals.
Obtaining Rabies Biologicals for Bite Victims.pdf
Health Care Providers--Availability of PEP
Please note that as of August 2013, and following the direction of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the availability of Rabies post exposure prophylaxis has changed:
-
Collin County Health Care Services
will
NO LONGER dispense rabies biologicals to INSURED persons.
-
Collin County Health Care Services
will only dispense rabies biologicals to UNINSURED persons who have a primary care physician who will administer the biologicals.
-
Collin County Health Care Services
does not administer these biologicals. They must be administered by the patient's chosen physician.
Health Care Providers--Obtaining Rabies Biologicals for Post exposure Prophylaxis
Health care providers are required to report animal bites and/or possible rabies exposure to the Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA). See the links under Reporting Animal Bites/Exposure to Rabies below.
If you are a health care provider needing to obtain rabies biologicals (PEP) for your patient, please contact our office at 972-548-4707 during normal business hours. If it is after hours, please call 972-547-5350. For after-hours calls, you will reach the Sheriff's dispatch office, let them know you need to speak to the Epidemiology department about rabies, and the on-call Epidemiology team member will be contacted.
Obtaining Rabies Biologicals for Bite Victims.pdf
Health Care Providers and Patients--Reporting Animal Bites and/or Exposure to Rabies
For questions about an animal's vaccination status, pet vaccinations, or to report a bite or rabies exposure incident, please contact the appropriate city/county's animal services (Local Rabies Control Authority) in the jurisdiction
where the bite/exposure occurred:
City of Allen
City of Dallas
City of Farmersville
City of Frisco
City of Josephine
City of Lowry Crossing
City of McKinney
City of Murphy
City of Parker
City of Plano
City of Richardson
City of Royse City
City of Sachse
Town of St. Paul
City of Weston
City of Wylie
Any Unincorporated Areas (and within the City limits of the following cities: Anna, Blue Ridge, Celina, Fairview, Lavon, Lucas, Melissa, Nevada, New Hope, Princeton, Prosper)
Contact Information
For more information regarding rabies vaccines, or if you are a health care provider needing additional guidance, please contact the Epidemiology department at 972-548-4707 by phone and at 972-548-4436 by fax.
