Rabies

What is rabies?

Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and affecting the central nervous system of mammals, including humans.

Where is rabies found?

More than 90 percent of reported rabies cases occur in wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes and bats. Domestic animals, like dogs, cats and cattle, account for less than 10 percent of cases.

How is rabies spread?

Most often, rabies is spread to humans through the bite of an infected animal. It is possible, but rare, for humans to be exposed to rabies through infected material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, without being bitten. If the saliva gets into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or wound, infection can occur.

How can I keep from getting rabies?

Be safe when interacting with wildlife:

·         Do not handle, feed or intentionally attract wild animals with open garbage can or litter.

·         Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.

·         Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic.

·         Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people or pets.

·         When traveling abroad, avoid direct contact with wild animals and be especially careful around dogs in developing countries.

What should I do if I or my child may have been exposed to rabies?

If you have been bitten, scratched or exposed to an animal’s saliva:

·         Wash the wound right away with soap and water or a 10 percent bleach solution if possible thoroughly.

·         Call your doctor or go to a hospital emergency room depending on the severity of the wound.

·         Get a description of the animal that bit or scratched you or, if possible, confine the animal so it can be quarantined or tested.

·         Contact the local animal control officer if it is a stray or wild animal for assistance.

·         Contact your local health department as soon as possible so steps can be taken to quarantine the animal or submit it for testing if warranted. 

If I’ve been exposed, how can I keep from developing rabies?

·         A vaccination is available to people who have already been exposed to an animal that tested positive for rabies or is unavailable for testing and it is nearly 100 percent successful in preventing rabies in humans. 

·         Pre-exposure vaccination is available for people who are at high risk for a rabies exposure such as veterinarians, laboratory personnel and animal control personnel.

Most rabies fatalities have occurred when people fail to seek prompt medical assistance or are unaware of the exposure. When left untreated, rabies can cause encephalopathy and death. Death can occur within days of the onset of symptoms.

What will the Health Department do?

Once the Health Department has been contacted with pertinent information, they will take steps to:

·         Quarantine the involved animal if it is a dog, cat or ferret.  Quarantines of these animals are for 10 days from date of the bite and generally take place at the owner’s home if possible. 

·         Have wild animals submitted for laboratory testing if the animal has been captured or is recently dead. 

·         Refer bite victims to seek medical consultation regarding initiating rabies post-exposure vaccine if animal can not be made available for quarantine or testing as deemed appropriate.

How can I keep my pet from getting rabies?

Be a responsible pet owner:

·         Keep vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats and ferrets

·         Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals.

·         Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood

·         Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.

How can I tell if my pet or another animal has rabies?

Animals may exhibit any of the following if they are infected with rabies:

·         A change in behavior

·         General sickness

·         Problems swallowing

·         Increased drooling

·         Aggression

Where can I get more information on rabies?

For more information online, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control or the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Or, for more information on the Health Department’s programs, please call 859.341.4151.