INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Jeanna Giese, the world’s first known rabies survivor, is helping The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County spread awareness about this almost always fatal yet 100 percent preventable disease.
In 2004 at the age of 15, Giese made medical history after surviving the bite of a rabid bat. The Fond du Lac, Wisc., teen’s life was saved thanks to an experimental treatment.
Now a 22-year-old college graduate, the avid animal lover devotes her efforts to rabies education. Giese travels around the globe informing health care workers and the general public about the issue of rabies.
“I believe that rabies education and general animal/bite safety is so important for children – and adults as well,” Giese said. “I did not know about rabies at 15 years old, and because of that I paid a price.”
Only four other people since Giese are known to have survived rabies without vaccination.
Recognizing that many children and young adults are unfamiliar with animal safety, the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County is providing free animal bite prevention classes and materials to any school or children’s group in the community.
Classes can be taught either in the classroom or at the Humane Society.
The shelter also reached out to Giese for help and interviewed her concerning the questions young people in the community may have about rabies.
Giese has also offered to respond to questions from local teachers and students via phone and e-mail.
“I think that speaking to children directly and showing them how it has affected my life is a very effective way to raise awareness,” Giese said.
The Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County’s animal safety efforts are being held in conjunction with World Rabies Day, Wednesday, Sept. 28.
World Rabies Day is an international effort to provide rabies vaccinations for companion animals and promote public education.
On that date, the Humane Society will be offering 200 free rabies vaccines to Indian River County dogs and cats.
Vaccines were provided through a grant by Global Alliance for Rabies Control and Pfizer Animal Health.
Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County Interview with Jeanna Giese:
Many people fail to get their pets vaccinated against rabies because they think the vaccine is too expensive or their pets are only outside briefly and won’t come into contact with wildlife. What would you say to them?
If they are concerned about the vaccine being too expensive, I would simply ask them if they really want to put a price on their pets’ life. Having a pet comes with costs, both monetary and timely, and a pet owner must be willing to accept these costs. As for the time outside, whether short or long, it only takes 1 second for 1 bite to transmit rabies. Even if an animal is always inside, a rabid animal could still get to it (ex. a house cat playing with a rabid bat that gets inside).
Vaccinating pets seems to be one main barrier for preventing rabies in humans. Can you comment on this?
Although rabies in the US is mainly transmitted by wild animals, pets can easily be a carrier. Pets are easier to trust and to come in contact with, so an unvaccinated pet is at risk of infecting a person.
Why do you think rabies and bite prevention is education is important?
I believe that rabies education and general animal/bite safety is so important for children, and adults as well. I did not know about rabies at 15 years old, and because of that I paid a price. If children are simply made aware, rabies cases would be greatly reduced.
Some children don’t want to report being bitten because they are worried that they’ll get into trouble. What would you say to children and their parents?
Children: Don’t be afraid. It is better to tell a parent and get in trouble then it is to not tell and suffer from rabies. Parents: Remember that your child didn’t know better, and you need to get them the treatment they need. Have a talk with them to prevent it from happening again.
Your mother informed the neurologist that you had been bitten by the bat, he dismissed it. Do you think that situation was an indicator that there needs to be greater education about rabies among doctors in the U.S.?
I do believe that the incident with the neurologist indicates that many people in the US do not regard rabies as a possibility. Rabies should be considered along with any other disease. I think at that point, she knew the bat bite was the only remaining cause. I had tested negative for everything else. When you’re sick, you tell the doctor about recent vacations, recent meals, anything out of the ordinary; for me, it was the bat bite.
For the past several years you have been involved in rabies awareness education including posting answers on YouTube. Can you tell me more about your rabies awareness efforts and what you think has been most helpful?
My goal is simply to raise rabies awareness. I speak to schools and groups, when they invite me to, about my experience, and share to children how to be safe around animals and what to do if bitten, as well as the facts about rabies. I think that speaking to children directly and showing them how it has affected my life is a very effective way to raise awareness.
Are you currently involved in any rabies cure trials or studies?
Currently, I am not. A study will be started in the future to try to develop a cure-vaccine, and I believe I will participate.
Someone else who would have had your experience might have become frightened of animals. It seems as though this has not made you scared of animals – if anything you seem just as concerned for their welfare as you were prior to the incident. Can you share a few thoughts about this?
My rabies experience has brought me closer to animals. I have a lot more respect for them, and I see how they are misunderstood and taken for granted. A bat almost took my life, and since then I have come to love the flying mammals and learn so much about them. Conservation has become a goal of mine, as I feel close to animals now more than ever.