Rabies:
is it making a Comeback?
Possibly! As of mid- November, 1999 there have been at least nine confirmed
cases of rabid animals reported in this area. Rabies is caused by a
virus that attacks the nervous system of mammals. Wildlife, farm stock,
pets and people are at all at risk. The rabies virus lives in the saliva
and brain tissue of the infected animal. Without prompt treatment, rabies
is nearly always fatal.
Rabies
is spread mainly through bites, but can also be passed on by scratches
from an infected animal or when infected saliva or brain tissue comes
in contact with open wounds, skin breaks and mucous membranes. Rabies
is carried mainly by wild animals - including raccoons, skunks, bats
and foxes. Stray dogs and cats are also a problem. Domestic animals
such as dogs, cats and farm animals can easily pick up rabies from wild
or stray animals.
Protect
Yourself and Your Family
Avoid
contact with all wild animals, especially ones that are not behaving
normally or "look sick". Never attempt to feed or handle any
wild animal. Also, never adopt wild animals as pets.
Stay away from strays and other people's pets. You never know if they've
been properly vaccinated for rabies. Report strays to your local police
department or animal control officer. In Alex City, call the City Police
Dept. (234-3421) to report animal control problems. Others to call are
the Sheriff's Dept. or your local Police Department.
Have your animals vaccinated, per State Law, including cats, dogs, and
selected livestock. See your veterinarian for information about rabies
immunizations and required booster shots.
Confine your animals to your property. Pets that are allowed to roam
are at higher risk for rabies exposure and infection. In Alex City,
dogs are no longer allowed to "run at large," due to the recent
Leash Law.
Never feed pets outdoors. Also, keep the area around your home free
of table scraps and other debris. Food left outdoors will attract stray
or wild animals.
Act on any attack or bite suffered by your pet. Contact your veterinarian
and your local health and/or animal control authority. A rabies booster
can help protect your pet, and there are shots for people as well.
Know
What To Do If You're Bitten
If
the animal is wild, it's important to confine it if possible. It will
have to be observed for signs of rabies. Call the local animal control
authorities at once. Kill the animal only as a last resort, but do not
damage its head. The animal's brain tissure will need to be tested.
If the animal is a pet, get the owner's name and address and ask for
proof of rabies vaccination.
Wash the wound thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
Call your physician at once. He or she can determine if you need rabies
shots. The modern process involves far fewer shots and little, if any,
discomfort.
Report all bites to the local health department immediately!!
Know The Signs Of Rabies
A change in "expected or normal" behavior is the most usual
sign of rabies.
These
include:
A
normally friendly animal may become shy or hide; a timid or wild one
may become unusually approachable.
A usually calm animal may become excitable, irritable and aggressive.
At times it may seem confused and calm, but then suddenly attack when
approached. It may lose all caution for natural enemies.
Other signs include: drooling, inability to eat or drink, convulsions
and frothing at the mouth.