Help Prevent Rabies During Fall Season
Posted by Debbie Adlof on October 6th, 2008
The Peoria City/County Health Department is advising the public about the potential risk of exposure to rabies and how to help prevent this serious disease. Exposure to rabies can come from bats, wild animals, and even some domesticated animals. This is particularly important while enjoying outdoor activities this fall.
Rabies is a dangerous but preventable viral disease that affects the central nervous system of humans and other mammals. It is often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The majority of rabies cases reported each year in the United States occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, or bats, but domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and cattle also account for some of the reported rabies cases.
Follow these guidelines to help protect people and pets from rabies:
• Tightly close all outside doors to prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas where they might have contact with people and pets.
• Carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bats entry. Any opening larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch should be caulked. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap chimneys with screens.
• If you find a bat in your home, contact your local Animal Control Center for assistance in removing the bat. Do not attempt to handle or kill the bat.
• Be sure dogs and cats are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations by consulting with your veterinarian. Vaccinated pets serve as a buffer between rabid wildlife and humans.
• Do not allow pets to roam free.
• Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals or stray dogs or cats to help minimize risk of bites or scratches.
• Do not attract wild animals to your home or yard. Store bird seed or other animal feed in containers with tight-fitting lids. Feed pets indoors. Make sure garbage cans are tightly capped.
• Do not handle wild or domestic animals that have been trapped. Contact your local Animal Control
Center for assistance.
• If bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal that is confined, do not release or kill the animal. Contact the local Animal Control Center.
• Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal. Teach children not to approach or to touch any animal they do not know.
• Report all animal bites to the local Animal Control Center or local Health Department. If someone has been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
For more information, visit www.idph.state.il.us/health/infect/reportdis/rabies.htm or contact the Health Department at (309) 679-6022.