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2006 Rabies Update
Rabies continues to be a concern in northeast Ohio since finding our area’s first rabid raccoon in July 2004 in Leroy Township. In 2004, 45 rabid animals (44 raccoons and one skunk) were found positive for raccoon strain rabies in northeast Ohio. A total of 38 animals tested positive (34 raccoons, two skunks, one groundhog, and one coyote) in 2005. Additionally, approximately five rabid bats are identified in northeast Ohio every year.
Rabies concern public health officials because it can be spread to unvaccinated pets, livestock and humans. Rabies is an infectious virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. The virus in found in the saliva of an affected animal and may be passed by a bite, scratch, or by getting infectious material into eyes, nose, mouth or a wound. Animals such as raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or bats are the most common source of rabies. There is no cure for rabies once the symptoms develop, but the disease can be stopped if people seek prompt medical treatment. Untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in both humans and animals.
The Lake County General Health District continues to work with federal, state, and local agencies on a multi-phase rabies control program. Twice a year, oral rabies vaccine is distributed by ground and air to provide rabies immunity in the raccoon population. Approximately 2,000 target animals are tested each year to determine if they are infected with the rabies virus and to help monitor the range of the virus.
To protect yourself and your family, please take the following precautions:
- Dogs, cats, and ferrets over four months of age must be vaccinated for rabies, as required by Lake County law. Livestock may be vaccinated also.
- Do not feed or touch wild animals, even if they appear ill or injured, as they may bite. Handle all dead animals carefully.
- Educate children on animal safety. Maintain a safe distance from unfamiliar dogs and cats and all wild animals.
- Spay or neuter pets to prevent unwanted pregnancies and overpopulation.
- Do not allow pets to run loose, especially at night, to help prevent contact with a wild animal.
- Keep garbage in a secure can with a lid to discourage raccoons and other wild animals from coming near your house.
- Report any pet or wild animal that bites a human to the Health District. Immediately wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical treatment.
- Contact the Health District to report wild animals that may have had contact with a pet.
For more information:
Note: State law prohibits Lake Metroparks Wildlife Center to accept the following animals for care: skunks, raccoons, bats and fox. The Wildlife Center’s state permits do not permit staff to rehabilitate any rabies vector species due to the wildlife found positive in Lake County. If you find any of the above species ill, injured or orphaned, please call the Wildlife Center Hotline at (440) 256-2131 for instructions or Lake County Wildlife Officer Tom Rowan at (330) 644-3802 X 3217.
http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/idc/zoodis/rabies/rab1.aspx
http://www.lcghd.org/Links.asp?IncludedPageID=12351
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_rabies.htm
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