Rabid Stray Cat Bites Person In Burrillville: RIDOH

BURRILLVILLE, RI — A rabid car bit a person in Burrillville, the Rhode Island Department of Health revealed.

The department of health was "alerting the public that a stray cat found on Whippel Road in Burrillville tested positive for rabies on May 22," the department said in a media release.

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"The cat was tested after biting a person in that area on May 20 and then being found under a homeowner's deck," the release said.

"Rabies is a fatal disease if it is not treated before the onset of symptoms," the department warned.

"Anyone who may have had direct contact with the cat should immediately call RIDOH's Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 401-222-2577," the release said, noting that the after-hours and weekend number is 401-276-8046.

"The person who was bitten by the cat has started treatment with post-exposure prophylaxis," the release said.

"The rabies virus infects the central nervous system," according to the release. "If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. Rabies treatment must be started as soon as possible after exposure and before symptoms appear."

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