June 30, 2004

By: Elena Lowery
Website: http://www.1st-in-pets.com

Rabies Awareness Update - Notice Of Rabies Vaccination Clinic

Broome County residents can protect themselves and their pets from rabies by having them vaccinated at one of the vaccination clinics planned for this year. The first Rabies Vaccination Clinic scheduled for 2004 will be held at the Chenango Fire Station, 1135 Front Street, next to Chenango Town Hall.

Rabies vaccination will be provided to dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets of any Broome County resident. The Front Street Dog Shelter Alliance in conjunction with the Broome County Health Department will offer the clinic. Vaccinations are available at no cost. A $5.00 donation is requested but not required.

All animals must be at least three-months-old and under the control of the owner at the clinic. Please bring a Certificate of Immunization for previously immunized animals.

Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in New York State and Broome County. During 2003, the Broome County Health Department investigated 693 animal bites and potential exposures, resulting in 50 individuals undergoing rabies post-exposure treatment. A total of 132 specimens were sent to the New York State laboratory for rabies testing. Of the 132 specimens sent, 6 tested positive for rabies.

These positive specimens included a skunk, 2 raccoons, 1 bat, 1 woodchuck and a cat. To date in 2004, the Broome County Health Department has already sent 5 animal specimens to the New York State Health Department laboratory for rabies testing because of encounters with humans and animals.

Although none of these specimens were positive for rabies, they included 2 cats, 2 bats and 1 goat. The range of animal specimens involved in human and animal encounters makes it clear that wild animals, domesticated animals, pets and strays could potentially have rabies.

According to state law, if an unvaccinated pet is exposed to rabies, the owner may either have the animal humanely put down or confine it to a cage for six months.

Under the current law, an animal that has not been actively immunized against rabies at the time it bites a person must be confined, at the owner's expense, in a shelter, veterinarian's office, kennel or farm, for 10 days. Under the state law, if you feed a stray animal on your property, you are considered the owner.

Residents should presume that all stray animals are rabid. It is important that parents teach children to stay away from all wild animals and pets they do not know. Children should be discouraged from playing with stray pets.

Teach children to tell an adult if they have contact with a wild animal or a stray pet. If your child is bitten by a domestic animal, make sure to get the pet owner's name and telephone number.

This could eliminate the need for your child to undergo post-exposure treatment. Rabies in humans is always fatal, however prompt post-exposure treatment can prevent it.

If you are bitten, scratched or have contact with an animal you believe to be rabid, immediately wash the wound, seek medical attention, and report the incident to the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.2887.

After normal business hours, residents with urgent inquiries can call Broome County Emergency Dispatch at 607.778.1911. A dispatcher will then contact health department staff for you.

The Broome County Health Department urges all residents to take these common sense steps to avoid exposure to rabies:

* Although a bite from a rabid animal is the most common way for rabies to be transmitted, seek medical advice regarding exposure after any contact with an animal that may be rabid.

* Avoid contact with any wild animal. Be especially suspicious of wild animals that are unusually tame or aggressive. Do not attract raccoons to your yard by feeding them. Tightly cap garbage cans and do not feed pets outside.

* Avoid contact with any stray pets, 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. Always wash your hands afterwards.

* Avoid contacts with the saliva of any animal, including pets, that may be rabid or that may have been exposed to rabies.

* Seek advice regarding bat roosts in homes. For more information, see pet health care information.

About The Author:

Elena Lowery is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com.  Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.