Rabid Cat Turns Up In Greater Pittsburgh Area

PITTSBURGH, PA - A feral cat brought to an Allegheny County Health Department facility this week tested positive for rabies. The cat was found near the 340 block of James Street in North Versailles.

The feline was the 16th rabid animal reported in Allegheny County in 2018. The animals include six bats, six raccoons, two cats, one groundhog and one fox.

The rabies diagnosis has prompted the health department to remind people to avoid stay and wild animals to avoid exposure to rabies. If any animal appears to be acting strange or becomes threatening, you should immediately notify their local animal control service, the police or the Pennsylvania Game Commission. People should also make sure that their pets are up-to-date with vaccinations.

Rabies is a virus transmitted by an animal bite or scratch, and exposures due to a bite or scratch are almost always fatal when left untreated. Any individual who is bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to saliva from a stray or any other animal, should immediately cleanse the contact area with soap and water, seek emergency medical treatment and call the health department at 412-687-2243 to report the incident.

Photo via Shutterstock.

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