Peoria – The Peoria City/County Health Department and Peoria County Animal Protection Services are observing World Rabies Day on September 28 by advising the public about the potential risk of exposure to rabies from pets and animal bites.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system of humans and other mammals, but it is preventable. More than 90% of all animal rabies cases reported to CDC each year occur in wild animals. The main animals that get rabies include raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Animals often thought of as pets, such as dogs and cats, are often in contact with wildlife and can also transmit rabies to humans.
Every year, an estimated 40,000 people in the U.S. receive a series of shots known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) due to potential exposure to rabies. In addition, the U.S. public health cost associated with rabies is more than $300 million a year. Rabies is preventable, and there are steps to take to avoid costly treatment and illness.
Lauren Malmberg, Peoria County Animal Control Director, cautions residents, “Please report any animal bite immediately to Animal Control. To help determine if the victim needs rabies treatment, trained staff must secure the animal so it can be examined for rabies. If you encounter a bat in your home, call PCAPS immediately – don’t try to handle the bat yourself. Animal Control Officers will respond at all hours to remove the bat and submit it for rabies testing if necessary.”
Jean Bellisario, Infectious Disease Director at Peoria City/County Health Department, provides safety tips to individuals to protect against rabies.
• Avoid contact with wild or unfamiliar animals and don’t feed them, even if they seem friendly
• Be sure dogs and cats are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations
• Check buildings for small openings which may allow bats to enter and keep doors closed
• If attacked by an animal, wash any wounds immediately. One of the most effective ways to decrease the chance for infection is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical evaluation. You may need post exposure prophylaxis to be protected.
• If you suspect exposure to a bat bite, or if a bat was seen in a room with a sleeping child or adult, seek medical attention for follow up. Most bat bites are as small as a needle puncture and you may not be able to see them.
• If bitten by an animal, contact animal control. Observation and or testing of the animal may help to prevent the need for rabies prophylaxis if the animal is found to be healthy.
For more information call Peoria County Animal Protection Services 309-672-2440 or visit the website at www.peoriacounty.org/pcaps. For Public Health information, call the Peoria City/County Health Department at 309-679-6603 or visit our website at www.pcchd.org .