Human Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in Texas
The following guidelines can used in determining whether PEP is appropriate in response to a potential exposure to rabies. An exposure is defined as 1) an animal bite which breaks the skin or 2) exposure of broken skin (bled or had serous drainage within the past 24 hours) or mucous membranes to saliva or cerebrospinal fluid.
| Risk Category of Biting Animal |
Laboratory Testing Result |
Quarantine/Observation |
Human Postexposure Prophylaxis |
| Low (mice, rats, squirrels, nutria, rabbits, opossums, armadillos, shrews, prairie dogs, beavers, gophers) |
Testing is not required unless the Local Rabies Control Authority or physician have cause to believe the animal is rabid |
Not applicable |
Testing or PEP is not required unless the Local Rabies Control Authority or physician have cause to believe the biting animal is rabid. |
| High (Bats1, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks) or type of biting animal is unknown |
Positive or non-negative2 |
Not applicable |
Administer PEP (usually acceptable to wait up to 72 hours for test results before beginning PEP unless animal displayed signs compatible with rabies) |
| Negative |
Not applicable |
PEP not administered |
| Animal not available |
Not applicable |
Administer PEP |
| Dog, Cat, Ferret3 |
Positive |
Animal tested |
Administer PEP (usually acceptable to wait up to 72 hours for test results before beginning PEP unless animal displayed signs compatible with rabies) |
| Negative |
Animal tested |
PEP not administered |
| Not tested pending outcome of quarantine |
PEP not administered if animal is available for 10-day quarantine |
If animal shows signs compatible with rabies during 10-day quarantine, animal should be immediately euthanized and tested. PEP should begin immediately without waiting for test results. Discontinue if test results are negative. |
| Animal not available or non-negative2 |
Animal not available or tested |
Consult public health professional |
| All Other Warm-Blooded Animals |
Positive |
Animal tested |
Administer PEP |
| Negative |
Animal tested |
PEP not administered |
| Non-negative2 |
Animal tested |
Consult public health professional |
| Not Tested |
30-day observation4 |
Consult public health professional |
| Animal not available |
Animal not available |
Consult public health professional |
1. In incidents involving bats, PEP may be appropriate even in the absence of demonstrable bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure in situations in which there is reasonable probability that such exposure may have occurred (e.g. sleeping individual awakes to find a bat in the room, adult witnesses a bat in the room with a previously unattended child, mentally challenged person, intoxicated individual, etc).
2. "Non-negative" includes all specimens not suitable for testing (destroyed, decomposed, etc).
3. The decision whether a dog, cat, or ferret should be euthanized and tested or quarantined rests with the Local Rabies Control Authority.
4. The Local Rabies Control Authority may authorize a 30-day observation period in lieu of testing.
Texas Department of State Health Services - Infectious Disease Control Unit
1100 West 49th Street, Suite T801, Mail Code: 1960 PO BOX 149347 - Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 458-7676 - Fax: (512) 458-7616 - E-Mail
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