Although it is early in the warm weather season, there have already been two raccoons testing positive for rabies within the health district. One of these animals was very aggressive and bit a person. While rabies can occur in any mammal, it is most commonly seen in skunks, raccoons, and bats. Small animals like field mice or squirrels rarely, if ever, contract rabies. Because the possibility of rabies in wildlife is very real, you need to be very cautious when encountering wildlife and managing your pets. Keep the following actions in mind for your family’s protection!
- Avoid contact with wildlife, including cute baby animals.
If you see wildlife in the daytime, especially if the animal is acting unusually, stay away and call the Animal Control officer in your town. Generally, wildlife is nocturnal, but at this time of year, when their babies are born, they make forage during daytime hours. Therefore, a wild animal spotted during the day does not necessarily mean the animal is rabid, but you are advised to use caution.
If you have a bat in the house, call animal control 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.
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Maintain a barrier between you and wildlife by vaccinating your pet against rabies. (This is required by law for both cats and dogs!)
Spay or neuter your pet to decrease attraction of stray animals.
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Report ill, stray or unusually-behaving animals to your animal control officer.
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 it. The rabies virus is found in saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. Allowing the pet’s fur to dry will further reduce your risk.
Wash hands with soap and water immediately after any contact with a suspect animal or after inspecting a wound on your pet.
Seek prompt medical attention if you are bitten by a wild animal or a domestic animal unknown to you.
The health district provides consultation on human exposures and the animal control officer in your town deals directly with the animals. For more information on rabies, District residents (Bethany, Hamden, North Haven and Woodbridge) can call Quinnipiack Valley Health District, 203 248-4528 or request information on line, www.qvhd.org
