Notice more cases of rabies in the domestic rabbits -- possibly
reflecting that they are more likely to be outdoors, given the huge
number of pet domestic ferrets.  This pdf provides more information
on how these numbers compare and why stating that ferrets are a major
rabies vector is wrong (beyond there never having been any documented
cases world-wide of a ferret actually transmitting rabies):
 
https://njlmn.rutgers.edu/cdr/docs/Breakout3_Campbell_Frese.pdf
 
>Bat Rabies
>80% of human rabies cases acquired in US over the past 20 years are
>bat-associated strains
 
>A history of a definite bat bite was documented in only 5% of these
>cases; 60% had bat contact but no known bite or scratch
 
>Bite wounds from bats are extremely small and may be nearly undetectable
>within hours.  Persons sleeping may not wake up or otherwise be aware of
>a bite from a bat
>
>In NJ, 2005: 875 bats submitted for testing, 32 were positive
 
Notice that even most bats which are "down" (unable to hang by rear feet)
do not have rabies.  Most of those actually have pesticide poisoning (BCI
study found 15% of "down" bats with rabies, and 5% of bats who could
hang).  These bats can still fly for some time.
 
>Terrestrial Rabies Cases
>Raccoon Epizootic 1989-2005
> 4,938 Terrestrial Cases
> 75%  Raccoons
> 15%  Skunks
> 2%    Groundhogs
> 2%    Foxes
> 5%    Cats [ My note:  266 cases]
> Others: 8 Rabbits, 8 Deer, 8 Horses, 8 Cattle, 4 Dogs, 2 Ferrets,
> 3 Otters, 2 Opossums, 1 Sheep, 1 Bear, 1 Beaver, and 1 Coyote
 
>Rabies In Domestic Animals,
>New Jersey, 1989-2005
>Cats 266 (90% domestic cases)
>Rabbits 8
>Cattle 8
>Equine 8
>Dog 4
>Ferret 2
>Sheep 1
 
>High Risk Animals
>Raccoons
>Skunks
>Groundhogs
>Foxes
>Bats
>Cats (particularly "free-roaming" cats)
 
>Low Risk Animals
>Indoor pet rodents
>Vaccinated domestic animals
>Squirrels
>Rats
>Mice
>Moles and voles
>Opossums
>Wild rabbits
 
Neat info:
>Rabies Virus Survival
>If saliva or other material containing the rabies virus is dry to
>the touch, the virus can be considered noninfectious.
>Rule of thumb: "If it's DRIED, it has DIED"
 
NJ (pretty much the same nationally since 1998, and note that the latter
two are also used for ferrets in those situations but that ferrets are
almost never in those situations compared to cats and dogs):
 
>Animal Confinement Periods
> 10 days -Dog, cat, or ferret which bites a person
> 45 days - Currently vaccinated dog or cat exposed to a rabid (or
> suspect rabid) animal
> 6 months - Currently un-vaccinated dog or cat exposed to a rabid (or
> suspect rabid) animal
 
BTW, in studies of serious bites PER CAPITA ANIMAL SPECIES domestic
ferrets and domestic rabbits have pretty much equal rates.
 
Please, see the vector map in this expert source pdf.
[Posted in FML issue 5344]