Return to PennySaver pageGowanda PennySaver / October 01, 2000
Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in New York State.
The Cattaraugus County Health Department staff is available to respond to questions. Inquiries and requests for information can be obtained by calling 373-8050, or 1-800-251-2584 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For emergency calls after 4:30 p.m., call 373-8050.
County residents should be aware that significant numbers of household pets, particularly cats, have been diagnosed as rabid in recent years. Of the more than 20,000 New Yorkers who have been treated for exposure to rabies since 1990, many reported contact with a pet that had fought with a rabid animal. Pet owners need to know that if an unvaccinated pet or one that's overdue on its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be destroyed or strictly quarantined for six months.
It is essential that pet owners make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that their vaccinations are kept up-to-date. Vaccinated animals that come in contact with wild animals can be given booster vaccinations, but these shots must be administered within five days of exposure.
In calendar year 1999, laboratory-confirmed cases of rabies in Cattaraugus County included seven raccoons, two bats, and one cat. Statewide numbers included 520 raccoons, 187 skunks, 118 bats, 38 gray fox, 31 cats, six red fox, 10 woodchucks, eight bovine, one bobcat, one bear, one coyote, one deer, and seven horses. Thus far in 2000, six cases have been confirmed, five raccoons, and one bat.
Bat rabies continues to be of particular concern. In the past six years, two people have died in New York State from bat-associated rabies. In each case, family members recalled a bat in the home, but the possibility of exposure did not occur to them at the time of the incidents. In 1999, a record number of rabid bats in New York State, 118 cases, exceeded the previous record set in 1998.
Although 95 percent of all bats tested by the state Health Department are negative for rabies, New Yorkers must remain aware of the risk for rabies from any contact with a bat. Those who find a bat in their home should not release or discard it; immediately contact the Cattaraugus County Health Department.
The Health Department urges all residents to take these common sense steps to avoid exposure to rabies:
*Those bitten, scratched or who have contact with an animal they believe to be rabid, should immediately wash the wound, seek medical attention and report the incident to the county Health Department.
*To avoid unnecessary rabies treatments, all potentially rabid animals, which may have exposed someone, should be confined and observed, or tested for rabies. Contact the Health Department for more information.
*Although a bite from a rabid animal is the primary venue for rabies transmission, contact the Health Department for information regarding other contacts.
*Avoid contact with any wild animal. Be suspicious of wild animals that are unusually tame or aggressive, especially those that attack pets. Do not attract raccoons to the yard by feeding them.
*Avoid contact with any stray animals, especially cats.
*Do not handle pets with bare hands for several hours after any involvement with a suspected rabid wild animal. Pet owners should keep a pair of thick gloves handy for just such situations, and should bathe pets after wildlife encounters whenever possible.
*Avoid contact with saliva of any animal that may be rabid.
*Seek advice regarding bat roosts in homes. Immediately report any possible contactwith bats including bats in rooms with sleeping persons, unattended children, or individuals with mental impairment.
Questions may be addressed to the Health Department at 373-8050 or toll-free at 1-800-251-2584.