If you are bitten, or your pet is bitten,
-- by a wild animal, immediately wash the wound very thoroughly with soap and water.
GO TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR OF EMERGENCY ROOM - you may need treatment.
-- immediately call an animal control officer or the police. All animals should be
tested for rabies as soon as possible.
-- by a cat or dog, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
GO TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR OR EMERGENCY ROOM.
-- Get as much information about the animal as you can, detailed description, license
or identifying information, owner's name, address, phone, etc. Ask if the animal has
been vaccinated for rabies.
-- Report all bites to your animal control agency, local health department or the police.
How can you protect yourself against rabies?
-- Vaccinate all your animals, especially your cats. Cats outnumber dogs in reported,
confirmed cases of rabies. Many agencies hold low cost clinics for vaccinations.
-- Keep your pets from roaming without your supervision.
-- Your are required by law to report dog and cat bites.
-- Do not handle or feed stray or wild animals, especially if they appear sick or
aggressive.
-- A wild animal, such as racoons, skunks, fox or bat should be killed and it's head
(or the entire body of a bat) should be given to your county or state agency
for further examination. This is very important in treatment of the animal or
person bitten. The results will help your doctor determine your treatment.
--There is a human rabies vaccination, and globulin treatments along with vaccinations
if you have been bitten - but, as always, prevention is preferable.
More.....
-- Do not feed wildife. Yes, they are cute.....but they can harm our health.
-- Keep garbage cans closed and inside a garage or shed.
-- Remove left-over food immediately if you feed your pets outdoors.
-- Gardens attract wildlife - consider appropriate fencing or electric wire.
Around the house.....
-- Close all hole or enteries under the house and porch - as well as other outbuildings.
-- Cap your chimneys, and other entrances.
-- Trim trees so limbs do not extend over or near the roofline.
-- Install bright automatic lighting to discourage night visitors.
If you already have homesteaders....
-- If there are babies....wait until they leave the den or nest.
-- if not, then place heavy screen wire or a metal panel, in such a way, that will
allow the animal to leave, but will prevent it from entering again.
-- Try a bright liight or very loud radio to make it too uncomfortable for it to stay.
-- If these fail call an exterminator or animal control officer.
-- Call your local animal control officer if there are any wild or domestic animals
in the area that are acting strangely.
-- by a wild animal, immediately wash the wound very thoroughly with soap and water.
GO TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR OF EMERGENCY ROOM - you may need treatment.
-- immediately call an animal control officer or the police. All animals should be
tested for rabies as soon as possible.
-- by a cat or dog, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
GO TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR OR EMERGENCY ROOM.
-- Get as much information about the animal as you can, detailed description, license
or identifying information, owner's name, address, phone, etc. Ask if the animal has
been vaccinated for rabies.
-- Report all bites to your animal control agency, local health department or the police.
How can you protect yourself against rabies?
-- Vaccinate all your animals, especially your cats. Cats outnumber dogs in reported,
confirmed cases of rabies. Many agencies hold low cost clinics for vaccinations.
-- Keep your pets from roaming without your supervision.
-- Your are required by law to report dog and cat bites.
-- Do not handle or feed stray or wild animals, especially if they appear sick or
aggressive.
-- A wild animal, such as racoons, skunks, fox or bat should be killed and it's head
(or the entire body of a bat) should be given to your county or state agency
for further examination. This is very important in treatment of the animal or
person bitten. The results will help your doctor determine your treatment.
--There is a human rabies vaccination, and globulin treatments along with vaccinations
if you have been bitten - but, as always, prevention is preferable.
More.....
-- Do not feed wildife. Yes, they are cute.....but they can harm our health.
-- Keep garbage cans closed and inside a garage or shed.
-- Remove left-over food immediately if you feed your pets outdoors.
-- Gardens attract wildlife - consider appropriate fencing or electric wire.
Around the house.....
-- Close all hole or enteries under the house and porch - as well as other outbuildings.
-- Cap your chimneys, and other entrances.
-- Trim trees so limbs do not extend over or near the roofline.
-- Install bright automatic lighting to discourage night visitors.
If you already have homesteaders....
-- If there are babies....wait until they leave the den or nest.
-- if not, then place heavy screen wire or a metal panel, in such a way, that will
allow the animal to leave, but will prevent it from entering again.
-- Try a bright liight or very loud radio to make it too uncomfortable for it to stay.
-- If these fail call an exterminator or animal control officer.
-- Call your local animal control officer if there are any wild or domestic animals
in the area that are acting strangely.
| Human fatalities, in the USA, occur in people who do not get medical treatment, because they are unaware of being exposed. |
| Human Symptoms of Rabies Early symptoms of rabies in humans is non-specific with headache, fever & tiredness. As the disease progresses the following may appear: difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, confusion, insomnia. anxiety, slight or partial paralysis, agitation, halucinations, and hydraphobia - a fear of water. Death usually occurs within days of these symtoms. |
| Cats, dogs and cattle are most often reported rabid. |
| What is the treatment for humans bitten? The treatment is one dose of rabies immune globulin and five doses of rabies vaccine over a 28 day period. The first dose of rabies immune globuin and the first rabies vaccine should be given immediately, with rabies vaccine doses to be given on days 3, 7, 14 & 28. How soon should I be treated? As soon as possible. Are the shots painful? Today's treatment is given in the arm, just like other vaccines. Reactions to the vaccines are rare, but may include fever, site reaction, headache, nausea, muscle aches, abdominal pain & dizziness. |
| According to the CDC only six people have survived rabies once it was contracted, and all of those had pre or post- medical treatment for rabies. |
1. The victim is bitten by the rabid animal.
2. Saliva enters the wound carrying the rabies virus.
3. Rabies begins spreading throughout the body, reaching
the brain and spinal column.
4. The virus incubates in the victim's body in the next
three to twelve weeks. There are no signs of the
disease at this point.
5. Once the virus reaches the brain, it multiplies very
quickly and passes along to the salivary glands.
At this point the victim begins to show signs of the
disease.
6. The victim usually dies with one week of the sypmtoms
appearing.
2. Saliva enters the wound carrying the rabies virus.
3. Rabies begins spreading throughout the body, reaching
the brain and spinal column.
4. The virus incubates in the victim's body in the next
three to twelve weeks. There are no signs of the
disease at this point.
5. Once the virus reaches the brain, it multiplies very
quickly and passes along to the salivary glands.
At this point the victim begins to show signs of the
disease.
6. The victim usually dies with one week of the sypmtoms
appearing.
| TRANSMISSION |
| It is very important to test the animal for rabies, since results will be back in a few hours, saving trauma, anxiety & financial burdens for the person bitten. |
| Diagnosising Rabies in Humans Many tests are needed to verify rabies in humans. Saliva, serum (blood), spinal fluid & skin biopsies are performed to determine diagnosis. |