Another case of animal rabies confirmed in Oneida County
By: WUTR Staff
Updated: March 7, 2012
The Oneida County Health
Department has confirmed a second case of animal rabies this year. According to
a release, two of the rabies cases involve rabid raccoons in western Oneida
County. One case required Post Exposure Rabies Treatment for two people.
The OCHD says this year's mild temperatures and lack of snow have animals that usually
hibernate or remain dormant roam around because they can easily locate food. This increases the chances of human and pet
contact with animals that might be infected with the rabies virus.
"The mid-Atlantic raccoon epizootic strain of rabies is widespread throughout Oneida County and people need to take the proper steps to protect themselves and their pets from this deadly viral disease, and the first step is to vaccinate their pets against rabies," said Bobbi Jo Kahl, Rabies Treatment and Prevention Program Coordinator.
Last year the OCHD investigated 171 cases of human or pet contact with a variety of rabid animals including foxes, skunks, raccoons and bats.
Health department officials say there are things you can do to reduce the risks of rabies poses for you and your pets:
-keep pets' rabies vaccinations up-to-date. Dogs, cats and ferrets 3-months and older must be vaccinated.
-Do not touch or feed wild or unknown animals
-do not touch dead or sick animals and warn children to avoid wild or strange animals
-walk your pets with a leash and keep your pets indoors at night
-reduce your chances of contact by "animal proofing" your property
-learn the signs of rabies in animals
-seek immediate medical attention if you have contact with an animal you think may be rabid
-report all animal bites to
the Health Department
For more information on Rabies Prevention or a complete schedule of
rabies clinics, contact the OCHB at 798-5064 or log onto their website at
ocgov.net/Oneida/health.
The next series of rabies clinics will be held at the Trenton Municipal Center at 8520 Old Poland Road in the Town of Trenton on Wednesday, March 21 from 6-8PM.
