Evening star., 1945-02-16
Maryland Counties
Seek D. {. Action 10
Halt Rabies Outbreak

Prompt action by District officials
to curb rabies is necessary to pre-
vent a recurrence of the disease in
outlying areas this spring, Mary
land health authorities declared to-
day.
A comprehensive program to vac
cinate all dogs, coupled with strict
and efficient dog control, was con-
ceded generally to be the best
means of preventing a fresh out
break.
DR.. A. L. Brueckner, acting direc-
tor of the Maryland Livestock Sani-
tary Service, said control measures,
including vaccination and quaran-
tines last summer in Montgomery
and Prince Georges counties. were
effective in checking a rabies epi-
demic. He added, however, that if
the disease continues to mount in
the District the job will have to be
done over again in the nearby areas
Study Rutland Proposal
Meanwhile, the corporation coun-
sells Office has under study a recon-
mendation by DR.. George c. Ruth
land, District health officer, calling
for compulsory vaccination of dogs
as prerequisite for obtaining an
nual license tags, and for an un-
specified increase in the redemption
fee for stray dogs impounded. An
order of the Commissioners for pin
ming up dogs running at large has
been in effect since last year.
Pointing to experiences in the
two outlying Maryland counties
last summer when more than 10000
dogs were given rabies immuniza-
ton shots, health officials there
were doubtful if a law requiring
dogs to be vaccinated before license
is granted would be effective in
curbing rabies.
1t was explained that in both
Montgomery and Prince Georges
Counties the cost of the immuniIng
shots was paid jointly by the State
and the locality, with the result
that many unlicensed dogs were
brought to immunizing clinics.
Fearful of d. c. Plan.
Under the proposed District plan
it is believed great many dog own
ers simply would refuse to purchase
a license rather than pay the extra
cost of the vaccination.
While medical authorities disagree
on the effectiveness of the vaccine
DR.. Brueckner said more than salts
factory results were achieved in
Montgomery and Prince Georges
Counties by combination of vac
cinationS and quarantine
From 1881 to 1912 Maryland was
virtually free of rabies, DR.. Brueck-
ner said. During four years of this
period no cases were reported, while
in other years the number variee
from one to eight cases.
Reappeared in I94S.
Early in 1943, he continued, tht
disease appeared in Montgomery ane
Prince Georges Counties, with S:
cases reported in Montgomery ant
so cases in Prince Georges by tn,
end of the year.
Before the vaccination program
was started in the two counties tn.
following summer, DR.. Bruecknel
said, 68 cases of rabies had been re.
ported in Montgomery County anc
II cases in Prince Georges. During
this program, he added, approx.
mately 1850 dogs were vaccinatet
in each county and rabies virtually
vanished. There were only two
cases reported during the balance
of the year in Montgomery and only
II cases reported during the same
period in Prince Georges.
According to District Health De-
partment figures, rabies first ap.
peared here in 1912. The disease
spread rapidly, with 104 cases re-
ported the following year and 14s
cases reported in 1914.
~ Reported Here.
Up to Wednesday the Health De.
partment said, 81 rabid dogs have
been reported in the District. This
compares to one rabid animal re.
ported this year in Montgomery
County and three in Prince Georges
County.
Results of rabies control meas.
ures last year in the two Maryland
counties" DR.. Brueckner said, "indi.
cate that programs based on quar-.
antine may logically be supple.
|mented with vaccination and thai
vaccination without quarantine re.
strictions should not be depended
on for effective control"
Two Days Of War Debote
TnNrON Fab 1S fN Arropoa.