Submitted by Jessica Woods
Interim Regional Epidemiologist
Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department
Rabies has been reported in some WV counties.
As warm weather approaches, more people start to go out and enjoy outdoor activities. Animals, particularly wild ones, also become more active in this time of the year. In response to an annual increase in reports of animal bites in the region, the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is urging residents to take precautions against animal bites and rabies exposure.
Animal bites pose real risks to individuals of all ages, particularly children. Animal bites are serious and may result in infection, scarring and disfigurement, and a potential for rabies exposure that need administering post-exposure rabies vaccine.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that mainly affects the brain and nervous system of humans and warm-blooded animals and can be transmitted by a bite from a rabid animal. Wild and stray animals are more likely to be infected with rabies than domestic and household pets.
Rabies is a fatal disease if people do not seek medical attention immediately after exposure. Most animal bites occur when people come in contact with unfamiliar, stray, or wild animal or when children are left unattended with pets.
If you or your child is bitten by an animal you should do the following:
1. Immediately wash the site of the bite with warm and soapy water for several minutes.
2. Consult with your doctor or a health care provider for further evaluation and wound care.
3. Contact the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department (MOVHD) and be ready to provide detailed information about the circumstances of exposure, the animal involved and the owner name. The MOVHD would be able to provide you with information regarding post-exposure prophylaxis, if you need it, and give you instructions regarding what should be done with the animal.
4. If the animal was wild or stray you should also call the local animal control to assist with trapping, observing, and/or testing of the animal.
To avoid animal bites and rabies exposure the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department recommends the following preventive measures:
1- All dogs, cats and ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies. Consider vaccinating valuable livestock and horses.
2- Maintain control of your pets by keeping cats and ferrets indoors and keeping dogs under direct supervision.
3- Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or vaccinated regularly.
4- Don't feed or water your pets outside. Empty bowls can attract wild and stray animals.
5- Keep your garbage securely covered. Open garbage will attract wild or stray animals.
6- Wild animals should not be kept as pets. You can enjoy them from a distance.
7- Never approach or handle a stray or wild animal, such as raccoon, fox, skunk or bat.
8- Call animal control to remove all stray/wild animals from your neighborhood since these animals may be unvaccinated or ill.
9- If your pet has been bitten by another animal consult your veterinarian immediately for possible treatment, confinement and vaccination.
10- If you wake up in a room with a bat present, regardless if there is evidence of a bite or scratch, seek immediate medical attention. Whenever possible, trap the bat for testing and don't release it.
11- Teach your children not to handle or approach unfamiliar animals, not to run from a dog and remain motionless if approached by an unfamiliar dog, not to play with a dog unless supervised by an adult, and not to disturb a dog or cat that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies or kittens.
You can always call the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department with any questions or concerns at (304) 485-7374 or visit us on the web at www.movhd.com
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