Final answer:
In NH, domestic animals like dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated for rabies at 12 weeks of age. Rabies immunoglobulin and a series of vaccinations following exposure can effectively prevent the virus from causing serious disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dogs, cats, and ferrets in NH must be 12 weeks of age to receive their first rabies vaccination. This is essential to maintain low rabies incidence in the United States, as widespread vaccination of domestic animals significantly reduces the risk of transmission to humans. It's important to note that the time from a bite to the entry of the virus into the central nervous system may be 2 weeks or longer, which allows time for post-exposure prophylaxis to be effective. An affected individual can be vaccinated soon after a bite, boosting their immune response enough to prevent serious effects of rabies.
For David, near the site of a bite, an injection of rabies immunoglobulin is administered, followed by a series of vaccinations over the next 14 days. This immunoglobulin immediately inactivates any virus present, and vaccinations help stimulate the body's immune response to fight off the rabies virus.