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RABIES CONTROL PROGRAM
What Services Are Provided?
The Rabies Control Program investigates all bite and/or scratch incidents involving humans and domestic animals. When necessary, specimens are collected and sent to the State laboratory for rabies testing. Every spring, low cost rabies vaccination clinics are held at various locations throughout the county. Educational materials are also available to persons upon request.
What Is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of mammals. It is usually transmitted by an infected animals bite. The incubation period, the period between exposure to the disease and onset of symptoms, ranges from two weeks to several months. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms occur. These symptoms may include behavioral changes, like unusual aggressiveness or paralysis. Up-to-date vaccinations for dogs, cats, ferrets and certain livestock can protect these animals against the disease.
What Animals May Be Affected By Rabies?
All mammals (warm-blooded, furred animals) can be affected by the rabies virus, but it occurs most often among wildlife species, such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. Unvaccinated dogs, cats, ferrets and livestock may also become infected. Rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, chipmunks and muskrats rarely acquire rabies. Birds, fish, snakes, turtles, lizards and insects are never affected by the rabies virus.
What Are The Symptoms Of Rabies In Animals?
After an animal has been infected with the virus, and depending upon what animal it is, a few days to several months may pass before signs of the disease appear. This is referred to as the incubation period. There are two distinct presentations of the disease. In the furious form, the animal is excited, aggressive, irritable, and may snap at anything in its path. It loses all caution and fear of natural enemies. If the animal has the dumb form of the disease, it may appear unusually tame, affectionate and friendly. Staggering, paralysis, and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noticed. Many animals have a change in the sound of their voice.
How Do People Become Exposed To Rabies?
Since the rabies virus lives in the saliva of rabid animals, a bite is the most common way the disease is spread. People may also become exposed to rabies by being scratched by a rabid animal or having saliva come in contact with an open wound or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth.
What Should I Do If I Am Bitten Or Exposed?
If you are bitten or scratched by a wild or sick animal, or get saliva from a rabies-suspect animal in an open wound or mucous membrane, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and immediately seek medical attention. Contact Harford County Animal Control (410-638-3505) to report sick or aggressive animals. Promptly notify the Health Department of your exposure. Disinfect any surfaces contaminated with tissues or fluids from a rabies-suspect animal with a 10 percent solution of household bleach in water. Wear disposable latex/rubber gloves when disinfecting surfaces and avoid splashing. If possible allow two hours to pass prior to cleaning and disinfecting potentially contaminated materials.
A dog, cat or other domestic animal inflicting a bite or scratch must be observed over a ten day period. If the animal remains healthy to the end of the observation period, no risk of rabies transmission existed. If the animal develops physical or behavioral changes or dies during the observation period, it must be submitted for rabies examination. Bats, raccoons, foxes and skunks must be presumed rabid unless laboratory analysis proves otherwise diagnosis.
If a biting animal cannot be observed or tested, or is found to be rabid, treatment must begin immediately. The treatment consists of a dose of rabies-immune globulin administered as soon as possible after the exposure. The first of five doses of rabies vaccine is given at the same time, with the remaining injections given on days 3, 7, 14 and 28 following the initial injection.
What Can I Do To Reduce My Chances Of Getting Rabies?
1) Be sure to vaccinate your dogs, cats and ferrets and keep them up-to-date. Maryland law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets over four months of age to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccines are available for both cats and dogs which are effective for three years after the primary series. Ferrets are vaccinated on a yearly basis.
2) Restrict your pets to your house or yard and walk them on a leash. Roaming pets are more likely to be exposed to rabies than those supervised by their owners. Dogs are required by law to be under the control of their owners at all times.
3) Do not keep wild animals as pets. Even a baby skunk or raccoon born in captivity, can become rabid. Maryland law prohibits the keeping of wild animals as pets.
4) Make your house and yard unattractive to wild animals. Feed pets inside your home. Keep garbage in tightly closed trash cans, cap chimneys, and seal off any openings in attics, under porches, and in basements and outbuildings.
5) Do not approach or handle wild animals. Almost any wild animal will attack if threatened or concerned. Avoid wild animals even if they appear friendly. Never try to coax a wild animal to eat from your hand.
6) Instruct your children never to approach or touch wild animals. Avoid contact with unfamiliar dogs and cats. Children should be told to report immediately any bite, scratch or contact with a strange or wild animal.
7) What should I do if I find a bat in my home. Bats found within occupied living spaces of dwellings may present unique opportunities for exposure to the rabies virus. Bats have very small teeth and claws, so it is possible to be bitten or scratched by a bat and never be aware of it. Persons that find themselves in the following circumstances should be considered for post exposure prophylaxis (rabies treatment):
· A person awakens to find a bat in their sleeping area, or
· A bat is observed in a room with a previously unattended child or mentally disabled, elderly, or intoxicated person, or
· A family pet has had or possibly had contact with the bat.
If you encounter any of these situations please contact the Harford County Health Department 410-877-2300.
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