Rabies: serious but preventable

Rabies is a fatal disease that can be prevented but not cured.  People bitten by rabid animals should seek immediate treatment to prevent contracting the disease.  It is important not to handle wild animals, to be aware of animals exhibiting unusual behavior, and to vaccinate pets against rabies.

In Florida, raccoons, bats, foxes, and unvaccinated cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals at high risk for rabies include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats, and stray or unvaccinated dogs and ferrets.

Rabies is spread through contact with the saliva and nervous tissue from a rabid animal through a bite, scratch, or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth.

<a href="http://video.heraldtribune.com/video/1801514143001">Watch on HeraldTribune.com</a>  

Animal Bites

Animal bites are often unexpected and can happen to adults and children alike. The source of a bite can range from domestic pets to wild animals.  All animal bites should be reported to Sarasota County Animal Services (a division of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office).

When a bite occurs, Animal Services must be notified so they may conduct an investigation and secure public safety.  If the bite is from a cat, dog, or ferret, Animal Services will attempt to locate the animal and make sure it is kept under observation for a ten-day quarantine at an approved location. Under certain circumstances a pet may be quarantined at the owner's home or the local Animal Services facility.  Animal Services will then forward an Animal Bite Report (available above) to DOH-Sarasota's Environmental Health staff, who will evaluate the risk of rabies transmission and confirm that proper steps are in place to prevent the spread of this disease.

• Contact DOH-Sarasota for assistance with animal testing and medical advice.

 
What to do if you are bitten by an animal

If you are the victim of an animal bite or other injury that may put you at risk for rabies, a fatal disease as described above, you should seek medical attention immediately.  Prompt and appropriate treatment after being bitten but before the disease develops can stop rabies infection and prevent the disease.

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 5 minutes.
• Contact your health care provider right away.  You may need to visit a doctor or emergency room.
• Report the bite to Sarasota County Animal Services (see above).
• Animal Services will communicate with DOH-Sarasota's Environmental Health staff, who will assess your need for rabies treatment (post-exposure prophylaxis).
• Special attention and urgency should be given to injuries involving small children (up to 2 yrs old) or injuries located above the neck and shoulders (i.e. face bites).

 
What to do if your pet gets bitten or injured by another animal

• Consult your veterinarian immediately.  Have your veterinarian examine your pet and assess your pet’s vaccination needs.
• Contact Sarasota County Animal Services if the bite or injury was from a pet, stray, or wild animal.
• Monitor your pet at home or in a veterinary clinic for a specified time period as directed by Sarasota County Animal Services (45 days if vaccinated or 180 days if unvaccinated).

Animal Quarantine

When a dog, cat or ferret bites or scratches a person, it is placed under quarantine to see if it will develop symptoms of rabies. Quarantined animals are placed at an approved site for 10 days from the date of the bite or exposure and then released if in good health. If the animal remains in good health after 10 days, the victim of the bite or exposure is notified that rabies is not a concern.

Rabies Vaccination for Pets

Florida statutes and Sarasota County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14 require all dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies.  Animals involved in a bite or exposure are checked for current tags and vaccinations. DOH-Sarasota's Environmental Health Services works closely with Sarasota County Animal Services to ensure animals have current tags and vaccinations.

Preventing Rabies

Rabies is preventable. In most cases, preventing rabies is as simple as ensuring adequate animal vaccination and control, avoiding contact with wild animals, and learning and teaching younger family members about ways to prevent animal bites and rabies.

DO:

• Be a responsible pet owner. Keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all pets.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Sarasota County Animal Services at 941-861-9500.
• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
• 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 and pets.

 
DO NOT:

• Do not try to rescue sick animals or break up fights between animals. Call your local Animal Services agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
• Do not handle, feed, try to catch, or play with wild animals.  Do not unintentionally attract them with open garbage cans or litter.
• Never adopt or bring into your home wild animals such as bats, raccoons, or foxes.
• Do not have contact with bats. If you find a bat during daylight hours, it is most likely unhealthy and should not be touched.
• Do not stick your fingers into an animal's kennel or cage, even if the animal appears friendly.
• Do not aggressively play with or disturb an animal while it is eating or taking care of its young. Even the family dog can bite its owner under such conditions.
• Do not walk pets late at night.

More Info:

• Rabies videos  [Global Alliance for Rabies Control]
  Watch this video series to learn more about rabies, including how it is transmitted, which animals are most likely to be rabid, the symptoms and diagnosis of rabies, prevention measures, World Rabies Day, and medical research.