| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sarah Granquist Phone: (518) 891-4471 Email: sgranqui@franklincony.org |
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Notice to Public
August 4, 2022
Franklin County Public Health Department Reports First Case of Rabies in 2022 Season
The first confirmed case of rabies in a bat was reported earlier this month. The bat was brought to us from a home in the Town of Malone and was found positive for rabies after being submitted for testing. The Public Health Department wishes to remind county residents of the importance of regular rabies vaccination and awareness of animals infected with rabies in our homes and communities.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Infected mammals can transmit rabies virus to humans and other mammals. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Fortunately, only a few human cases are reported each year in the United States.
What animals can get rabies?
Rabies is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with rabies. Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them against infection. Among domestic animals, cats are most frequently diagnosed with rabies in New York State.
What are the signs of rabies in animals?
The first sign of rabies is usually a change in an animal's behavior. It may become unusually aggressive or tame. The animal may lose its fear of people and natural enemies. A wild animal may appear affectionate and friendly. It may become excited or irritable and attack anything in its path. Staggering, convulsions, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis are sometimes seen. Many animals will make very unusual sounds. Infected animals usually die within one week after showing signs of rabies.
How do people become exposed to rabies?
A possible rabies exposure includes a bite, scratch, saliva contact to your eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound, or other physical contact with a bat or unvaccinated animal. If a bat is found in a room with a sleeping person or a young child, exposure cannot be ruled out. The bat should be safely captured for testing. To learn how to capture a bat safely, view a short video (1 minute 22 seconds) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YhnV5WJQBA .
What should I do if I am exposed to rabies?
Wash all wounds thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
Report all animal bites to us, even if they seem minor. Call us at 518 481-1710 (option 6).
Try to keep track of the animal that exposed you and report this information to us so the animal can be captured safely, if possible. In the case of a bat, it is important to safely capture it and bring it to the Public Health Department so we can transfer it to the state for rabies testing. To learn how to capture a bat safely, view a short video (1 minute 22 seconds) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YhnV5WJQBA.
Healthy dogs, cats, ferrets and livestock that have bitten or otherwise caused a potential human exposure to rabies will be confined under our direction and observed for ten days following the exposure. If the animal remains healthy during this period, the animal did not transmit rabies at the time of the bite.
Other types of animals that cause a potential human exposure must be tested for rabies. If an animal cannot be observed or tested for rabies, treatment may be necessary for the people exposed. We will assist you and your physician to determine whether treatment is necessary.
What is the treatment for people exposed to rabies?
Treatment after rabies exposure consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) administered as soon as possible after exposure, plus 4 doses of rabies vaccine given over two weeks. If there is a wound, the full dose of HRIG should go into the wound, if possible. The first vaccine dose is given at the same time, with the remaining injections given on days 3, 7 and 14 following the initial injection. People who have weakened immune systems may require a fifth dose of vaccine, as determined by their doctor.
A person who has already been vaccinated for rabies and is exposed to rabies must receive two booster vaccine doses three days apart immediately after exposure. They do not need an injection of HRIG.
What happens if a rabies exposure goes untreated?
Exposure to a rabid animal does not always result in rabies. If treatment is initiated promptly following a rabies exposure, rabies can be prevented. If a rabies exposure is not treated and a person develops clinical signs of rabies, the disease almost always results in death.
How do I protect my pets from rabies?
The best way to keep pets safe from rabies is to vaccinate them and keep their shots up-to-date. Public Health Law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age. First time vaccinations of pets are good for 1 year. Booster vaccinations – those received after prior vaccination – are effective for 3 years. If your pet is not vaccinated and bites someone or is bitten by an animal, your pet may be quarantined for 6 months or euthanized at your expense.
We offer free rabies clinics throughout the county every summer. Check our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FCNYPublicHealth or https://www.franklincountyny.gov/departments/human_services/public_health/clinics.php for clinic information.
Your pet’s veterinarian will also administer rabies vaccinations.
If your pet has been injured by a rabid animal, contact your veterinarian to get medical care. Even though your pet has been vaccinated, a booster dose of rabies vaccine may be needed within five days of the incident. Contact us at 518 481-1710 (option 6) to determine what additional follow-up may be needed.
What can people do to protect themselves against rabies?
- Don't feed, touch or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats.
- Be sure your pet dogs, cats and ferrets as well as horses and valuable livestock animals are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Vaccination protects pets if they are exposed to rabid animals. Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors and allowed outside only under direct observation.
- 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 that may attract wild animals. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cap or put away garbage cans. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap your chimney with screens.
- If nuisance wild animals are living in parts of your home, consult with a nuisance wildlife control expert about having them removed. You can find wildlife control experts, who work on a fee-for-service basis, in your telephone directory under pest control.
- Teach children not to touch any animal they do not know and to tell an adult immediately if they are bitten by any animal.
- If a wild animal is on your property, let it wander away. Bring children and pets indoors and alert neighbors who are outside. You may contact a nuisance wildlife control expert who will remove the animal for a fee.
- Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to your county health department. If possible, do not let any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to rabies.