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Rabies Information
What is rabies?
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus. All mammals, including humans, can get rabies.
How do people get rabies?
People get rabies by being bitten or scratched by a rabid animal or by getting saliva from the animal in an open cut or mucus membrane ( nose, mouth, eyes).
How can I tell if an animal has rabies?
The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animals behavior. The rabies virus attacks the part of the brain that controls behavior. The animal may become unusually aggressive or unusually tame. Staggering, convulsions, spitting, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis are sometimes noted. Many animals have a marked change in voice. If your pet appears to be sick or acts abnormally, suspect rabies.
What should I do if I am exposed to rabies?
1.Wash the wound with lots of soap and water right away.
2.Call your doctor and county health authority right away.
3.Try to capture the animal without risking further exposure.
Can rabies be treated?
YES! If you are exposed to a rabid animal, you get one shot of immune globulin followed by a series of five shots of vaccine in the arm. Treatment must begin right away.
What can I do to prevent rabies?
-Make sure your dogs an cats have up-to-date rabies vaccinations.
-Dont let your pet run free or leave them outside unattended.
-Keep them indoors at night and feed pets indoors.
-Handle your pet with gloves if it has been in a fight with another animal.
-Stay away from wild animals and dogs and cats you don't know.
-Do not attract animals to your home or yard. Board up any openings to your home.
-Tightly cap garbage cans.
-Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten by any animal.
Contact the Environmental Health division for more information at 786-8894.
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus. All mammals, including humans, can get rabies.
How do people get rabies?
People get rabies by being bitten or scratched by a rabid animal or by getting saliva from the animal in an open cut or mucus membrane ( nose, mouth, eyes).
How can I tell if an animal has rabies?
The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animals behavior. The rabies virus attacks the part of the brain that controls behavior. The animal may become unusually aggressive or unusually tame. Staggering, convulsions, spitting, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis are sometimes noted. Many animals have a marked change in voice. If your pet appears to be sick or acts abnormally, suspect rabies.
What should I do if I am exposed to rabies?
1.Wash the wound with lots of soap and water right away.
2.Call your doctor and county health authority right away.
3.Try to capture the animal without risking further exposure.
Can rabies be treated?
YES! If you are exposed to a rabid animal, you get one shot of immune globulin followed by a series of five shots of vaccine in the arm. Treatment must begin right away.
What can I do to prevent rabies?
-Make sure your dogs an cats have up-to-date rabies vaccinations.
-Dont let your pet run free or leave them outside unattended.
-Keep them indoors at night and feed pets indoors.
-Handle your pet with gloves if it has been in a fight with another animal.
-Stay away from wild animals and dogs and cats you don't know.
-Do not attract animals to your home or yard. Board up any openings to your home.
-Tightly cap garbage cans.
-Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten by any animal.
Contact the Environmental Health division for more information at 786-8894.