Protect your family, pets and yourself against rabies

GAINESVILLE, GA – Although the occurrence of rabies among humans has declined noticeably over the years, the disease continues among wild animals. Encounters between wild animals and domestic pets, including some that involve people, sometimes occur in our area. These incidents of exposure are common but can be prevented if residents take precautions to protect themselves and their pets.  People should always avoid contact with unfamiliar dogs, cats, and wild animals. This includes feeding or attempting to help an animal that appears injured. Maintaining current rabies vaccinations for your pets and keeping them away from wild animals is the best way to protect them.  If you feed your pets outside, pick up any uneaten food so wild animals, including feral cats, will not be attracted to your property. Feral cats, unlike stray domesticated cats, are born in the wild and should be treated as wild animals.  Do not attempt to capture or feed feral or stray cats. Leave them and other wild animals alone.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has rigid regulations that prohibit the keeping of wild and wild/domestic hybrid animals as pets. Some animals identified by these regulations are raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and bats; which also are common carriers of rabies. More information is available about wild animals on the DNR website http://www.georgiawildlife.com.  If you see a wild animal acting strangely, avoid the animal and contact the DNR Ranger Hotline at 1-800-241-4113.

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted in the saliva of infected mammals. The virus enters the central nervous system of the host causing an inflammation of the brain that is almost always fatal. The most common virus carriers in the United States are raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and bats. Wildlife remains the most likely potential source of infection for both humans and domestic animals in the United States. Rabies is transmitted only when the virus is introduced into bite wounds, open cuts in the skin, or onto mucous membranes, such as the eyes or mouth.  Rabies in humans can be prevented by eliminating exposures to rabid animals or by providing exposed persons prompt medical treatment. Post-exposure rabies treatment includes a series of vaccine injections.  The treatment can be costly; however, it is extremely important because rabies is almost always fatal without it.  Post-exposure vaccine can be found at all the major hospitals within District 2 and information about vaccine assistance programs can be obtained from your local Environmental Health Office.

Public health officials become involved in animal cases where exposure or potential exposure to rabies occurs. The role of public health is to ensure that domestic animals are vaccinated against rabies and to ensure the public is informed about rabies risks and the need to seek medical treatment.

There is no better time than now to ensure that all your pets are currently vaccinated.  For more information about rabies, ask your veterinarian, local health department or go to http://dph.georgia.gov/rabies.

World Rabies Day is September 28 for more information visit the CDC. Feature image from the CDC.