Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Alabama Health Department, full PDF document: (LINK). Edited.]
NEWS RELEASE / ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RSA Tower 201 Monroe Street, Suite 914 Montgomery, AL 36104, Phone 334-206-5300 Fax 334-206-5534 - www.adph.org
Rabid raccoon in Escambia County prompts reminders to immunize pets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jason Gurganus, (251) 368-9188 / Dee W. Jones, D.V.M, (800) 201-8208
Wild animals don't usually venture close to houses and they tend to avoid human contact, but animals infected with rabies can have altered behavior which can pose risks to humans and domestic animals. A raccoon first submitted to the Lee Veterinary Clinic on Sept. 25, then to the Escambia County Health Department, was confirmed as positive for rabies by the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories in Mobile.
This positive case prompts public officials to encourage pet owners to be sure their dogs, cats and ferrets are vaccinated against the fatal disease.
?We strongly caution people not to approach stray animals, wildlife and bats,? said Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health Veterinarian. ?To protect yourself, your family and your pets from exposure to the rabies virus, you should follow these precautions.?
Rabies is a disease of all mammals, including man, and is always considered to be fatal unless preventive treatment is given following the bite. The primary means of exposure is through a bite or scratch with contaminated saliva from the animal.
Transmission of the deadly virus also can occur if saliva contacts mucous membranes of the eye or mouth.
Pets can be a common connection between wildlife and humans. Vaccination of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets not only protects the animals against rabies, but also creates an additional protective buffer between wildlife rabies and humans. State law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets remain currently vaccinated against rabies.
For additional information please contact the Alabama Department of Public Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease, Division of Epidemiology, at 1-800-677-0939, or Jason Gurganus, Escambia County Health Department, (251) 368-9188.
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9/28/12
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NEWS RELEASE / ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RSA Tower 201 Monroe Street, Suite 914 Montgomery, AL 36104, Phone 334-206-5300 Fax 334-206-5534 - www.adph.org
Rabid raccoon in Escambia County prompts reminders to immunize pets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jason Gurganus, (251) 368-9188 / Dee W. Jones, D.V.M, (800) 201-8208
Wild animals don't usually venture close to houses and they tend to avoid human contact, but animals infected with rabies can have altered behavior which can pose risks to humans and domestic animals. A raccoon first submitted to the Lee Veterinary Clinic on Sept. 25, then to the Escambia County Health Department, was confirmed as positive for rabies by the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories in Mobile.
This positive case prompts public officials to encourage pet owners to be sure their dogs, cats and ferrets are vaccinated against the fatal disease.
?We strongly caution people not to approach stray animals, wildlife and bats,? said Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health Veterinarian. ?To protect yourself, your family and your pets from exposure to the rabies virus, you should follow these precautions.?
- Avoid domestic and wild animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.
- Teach children to stay away from animals that are hurt or unknown to them.
- Instruct children to avoid approaching any wild animal, whether or not it is acting strangely.
- Advise children to tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal.
Rabies is a disease of all mammals, including man, and is always considered to be fatal unless preventive treatment is given following the bite. The primary means of exposure is through a bite or scratch with contaminated saliva from the animal.
Transmission of the deadly virus also can occur if saliva contacts mucous membranes of the eye or mouth.
Pets can be a common connection between wildlife and humans. Vaccination of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets not only protects the animals against rabies, but also creates an additional protective buffer between wildlife rabies and humans. State law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets remain currently vaccinated against rabies.
For additional information please contact the Alabama Department of Public Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease, Division of Epidemiology, at 1-800-677-0939, or Jason Gurganus, Escambia County Health Department, (251) 368-9188.
-30-
9/28/12
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