Because
of several incidents of rabies infected animals coming into contact
with humans in Fairfax County, all citizens are advised to learn
to recognize rabid animal behavior, to protect themselves and
to have their pets inoculated against the disease. The most publicized
incidents this year have involved rabid foxes, raccoons and a
rabid cat. The disease is also prevalent in the bat and skunk
populations. Humans are susceptible to the disease through animal
bites or other contact with a rabid animal's saliva through a
break in the skin.
In general, wildlife most commonly
infected with rabies are raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats. Among
domestic animals, cats are most likely to contract the disease
because of their nocturnal roaming and the fact that more cats
than dogs have not received rabies immunization. Dogs and ferrets,
however, are also susceptible to rabies.
Rabies is caused by a virus that
attacks the spinal cord and brain in warm blooded animals. Animals
with rabies can survive for up to six months in an infected state
and can endanger other animals. During the infectious stage, the
rabies virus is present in the animal's saliva and can be transmitted
through any open wound in the skin or in the membranes in the
eyes, nose or mouth. Once clinical signs--or overt symptoms--appear
the animal will die within a week. A pet, when bitten by a rabid
animal, may develop symptoms within two to 24 weeks, but the usual
period is within three to eight weeks. Initially, the pet would
show abrupt changes in behavior, such as increased anxiety, depression,
irritability or even more displays of affection than usual. In
the most common form of rabies, clinical symptoms include convulsions,
muscular incoordination, extreme irritability, frenzied behavior
and foaming at the mouth. In a less common form, the animal becomes
depressed and may hide. Finally, the animal develops paralysis
of the jaw, followed by general paralysis and death. Once clinical
symptoms appear, there is no cure for rabies.
- Admire nature from a distance. As the County
has grown, wildlife habitat has become residential areas.
Even healthy wildlife can become aggressive and attack either
pets or humans during breeding, nesting and denning seasons.
- Parents should warn their children of the
dangers of approaching wildlife of any kind and should take
precautions to protect small children from any contact with
wild animals. Make sure they are encouraged to report any
potentially infectious contact they may have with animals.
- Be wary of any domestic or wild animals
displaying unusual or suspect behavior. Report animals acting
strangely or altercations between animals to the Animal Services
Division of the Fairfax County Police Department, 703-691-2131, TTY 703-204-2264.
- If bitten by a wild or stray animal or
a pet that is acting strangely, wash the wound immediately
and thoroughly with soap and water--preferably soaking the
affected area for 10 minutes--and apply antiseptic, seek medical
attention and report the incident to the Animal Services Division of the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131, TTY 204-2264.
- If someone is bitten by a wild animal or
any animal for which the owner is unknown, make a reasonable
attempt to confine the animal. If confinement is not safely
possible, try to watch the animal until the officer
arrives. Notify the Fairfax County Police Department's Animal Services Division, 703-691-2131
immediately so the animal can be captured for necessary rabies
tests.
- Minimize contact between domestic and wild
animals. Pet owners can take precautions such as having pets
sleep indoors, walking pets on a leash and feeding cats and
dogs inside.
- If a cat, dog or other mammal is bitten
by or exposed to a potentially rabid animal, contact the Animal Services
Division of the Fairfax County Police Department, 703-691-2131, and the Health Department,
703-246-2433, for follow-up and information.
- Prevent contact with wild or stray animals
by keeping trash in closed trash cans and sealing off openings
into your house that might provide entry for wildlife, including
open areas under decks and houses, chimneys and pet doors.
Do not feed stray animals.
- Don't keep wild animals as pets. Even a
baby skunk or raccoon born in captivity can be a rabies carrier.
- Last but not least, have your pets inoculated
against rabies. Both state law and County ordinance require
that dogs and cats four months of age and older be inoculated.
Inoculation against rabies is not a one-time shot. The vaccine
must be administered every one or three years, depending on
the vaccine used and the age of the animal. The Animal Services Division conducts reduced-cost rabies
inoculation clinics for dogs and cats each year. For more information,
call the Animal Shelter at 703-830-1100.
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