AAHA presents a Rabies Titer Clinic

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. rabies vaccine supply for humans is limited. "Nobody who really needs rabies vaccine is going without," CDC rabies chief, Charles E. Rupprecht, VMD, PhD, tells WebMD. "We do not have a rabies vaccine shortage. But we are in a supply limitation situation where rabies vaccine supplies are less than ideal."

Considering the role that we play in veterinary medicine, veterinary students are at risk of exposure to rabies, especially in Grenada where it is considered a major public health problem.  In light of this problem, the student chapter of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) here at SGU, in cooperation with University Health Services, will be hosting a Rabies Titer Clinic for students, staff and faculty of the SGU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Tara Paterson, faculty advisor of the SGU student chapter of AAHA, has been working feverously with members of the veterinary Public Health program at SGU as well as Kansas State University, to provide an affordable option for the testing of rabies titer antibodies.  Serological testing is recommended every two years, or two years after your first rabies vaccine.  Veterinarians and veterinary staff in contact with, or handling animals in a rabies enzootic area, should be vaccinated.

We would like to continue the initiative of One World, One Health and World Rabies Day.  The AAHA chapter at SGU believes that this will bring more alliance between health sciences in the fields of education and disease prevention.  More collaboration between human and veterinary medicine can only improve and protect our animal and public health worldwide. We believe this will help continue the School of Veterinary Medicine’s mantra of excellence and service in veterinary medicine.

The Rabies Titer Clinic will be held on Saturday, November 1st from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the University Health Services.  For further information, please contact your AAHA student representative, Jennifer Lopez at lopjen@sgu.edu.  AAHA would also like to thank Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Pfizer Animal Health for helping to subsidize the cost of this clinic.

Submitted by:  Jennifer Lopez, AAHA Student Representative