Rabies

Free Rabies Clinics Scheduled

For the convenience of pet owners, Hamilton County Public Health Nursing Service is offering free rabies clinics at the following locations:

Lake Pleasant Fire Dept. - Thursday, April 22, 2004, 4:00-7:00 PM

Wells Ambulance Bldg. - Thursday, May 6, 2004, 4:00-7:00 PM

Indian Lake Ski Hut - Saturday, May 22, 2004, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Long Lake Ambulance Bldg. - Saturday, June 12, 2004, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Inlet Fire Department - Saturday, June 26, 2004, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is present in the saliva and nervous tissue of a rabid animal.

What animals can get rabies and what are the signs of rabies in animals?

Rabies is most often seen among wild mammals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them.

The first sign of rabies is a change in the animal's behavior. It may become unusually aggressive or may lose fear of people or natural enemies. It may become excited, irritable and snap at anything in its path. Staggering, convulsions, spitting, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis are sometimes noted. The animal usually dies within one week after showing signs of rabies.

How do people become exposed to rabies?

People usually get exposed to the rabies virus when an infected animal bites them. Exposure may occur if saliva enters a scratch, open cut or mucous membrane (eyes, nose, or mouth).

If you are exposed to rabies you should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately by calling your doctor and your county health authority. Try to capture the animal without damaging its head or risking further exposure.

If an apparently healthy domestic dog, cat or ferret bites a person, it must be caputured, confined and observed daily for ten days following the bite. If the animal cannot be observed or tested, or it tests positive for rabies, treatment should begin immediately. Human treatment consists of a dose of immune globulin administered as soon as possible after exposure. The first of five doses of rabies vaccine is given at the same time, with the remaining injections given one each on days 3,7,14 and 28 following the initial injection.

What can people do to protect themselves against rabies?

* Don't feed, touch or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats.

* Be sure your dogs, cats and ferrets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Vaccines for dogs, cats and ferrets after three months or age are effective for a one year period. Revaccinations in dogs and cats are effective for up to three years.

* Keep family pets indoors at night. Don't leave them outside unattended or let them roam free.

* Don't attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed or other foods which may attract wild animals. Feed pets indoors.

* Bats can be particularly difficult to keep out of buildings because they can get through cracks as small as a pencil. Methods to keep bats out (batproofing) should be done during the fall and winter.

* Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten by any animal. Tell children not to touch any animal they do not know.

* If a wild animal is on your property, let it wander away. Bring children and pets indoors and alert neighbors who are outside.

* Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to your county health authority. Don't let any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to rabies. Depending on the species, it can be observed or tested for rabies in order to avoid the need for rabies treatment. This includes bats with skin contact or found in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, or someone with mental impairment. Bats have small, sharp teeth and in certain circumstances people can be bitten and not know it. For more information contact Hamilton County Public Health at (518) 648-6497.