Rabies Alert!

Within the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, there have been seven raccoons and three bats that have tested positive for rabies since June. Rabies is a deadly virus that can threaten the health of people and their pets. It is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. You need to be very cautious when encountering wildlife and managing your pets. Keep the following actions in mind for you r family’s protection!

Vaccinate your pet against rabies. This is required by law for dogs and cats.

Avoid contact with wildlife, including cute baby animals. Do not feed them or bring them indoors. Do not try to nurse them back to health.

If you see wildlife in the daytime, especially if the animal is acting unusually or if the animal appears ill or injured,  stay away and call the Animal Control Officer (ACO) in your town. Post the ACO number by your phone. You can also reach them through the police department or by calling 911 for an emergency.

If you have a bat in the house, call the ACO to capture it so it can be tested. This is especially important if you wake up with a bat in the bedroom or if the bat is found in the sleeping area of a small child or adult who is not able to give reliable information.

If your pet is in a fight with another animal, wild or domestic and unknown to you, never touch the wound with your bare hands. Use gloves if you need to examine the wound or transport the animal to the vet. Dispose of the gloves after use.

Wash hands with soap and water immediately after any contact with a suspect animal or after inspecting a wound on your pet, even if you wore gloves. Seek prompt medical attention if you are bitten by a wild animal or a domestic animal unknown to you. Never ignore a bite. 

The health district provides consultation on human exposures and the ACO for your town deals directly with the animals. For mor information on rabies, district residents can call QVHD, 203 248-4528 or request on line, www.qvhd.org