Print |
E-mail to a friend
NEWS
Tips offered for World Rabies Day
HUNTINGTON -- Experts are offering a number of prevention tips in observance of World Rabies Day, which is Sunday, Sept. 28.
According to the U.S. Department of Health, the rabies vaccine for humans is in short supply and is not readily available.
Rabies is a viral disease that is transmitted mainly by bite and exposure of saliva from an infected animal to broken skin or mucous membranes. Once neurological symptoms of the disease develop, rabies is fatal to both animals and humans, killing approximately 55,000 people each year.
Tips to prevent rabies infection include:
- Vaccinate all dogs, cats and ferrets.
- Don't let pets roam free.
- Don't feed or water pets outside. Stray animals will be attracted to even empty bowls.
- Securely cover garbage to discourage rabid raccoons.
- If a pet is bitten by another animal, take it to a veterinarian immediately. Contact animal control if the bite was from a stray animal.
- If you are bitten, wash the wound thoroughly and contact your physician. Also make sure to report the bite to your local health department.
- Report any strange behavior among wild animals to city or county animal control officials.
