Scheduled Clinics

So what’s the big deal about rabies? Certainly, human cases are few and far between in the United States. Statistically, one is much more likely to be struck by lightening than to contract rabies. Why do we in public health spend so much time and energy on a disease that so infrequently infects humans?

The answer is multi-faceted. In addition to the mandated vaccination of domestic animals (cats, dogs, and ferrets) and the development of a highly effective human vaccine, public health laws that include the reporting of all animal bites to public health authorities, play a key role in prevention. Countries without such laws continue to experience significant numbers of human fatalities due to rabies each year.

Rabies 101
The rabies virus infects only mammals and is generally spread by way of a bite wound. Tiny nerves at the “bite site” become infected and the rabies virus starts its slow journey from the far reaches of the nervous system to the brain. It can take weeks or even months for the virus to reach the brain where it causes inflammation (encephalitis).

In addition to a headache, encephalitis causes marked changes in behavior. In animals, these may include an awkward gait (“drunken raccoon syndrome”), unusual vocalizations, sleepiness, or aggressiveness. We have had reports of very “friendly” raccoons and very aggressive raccoons, both rabid. The key is the change in behavior, not necessarily the behavior itself.

Though its initial journey is slow, things speed up once the virus enters the brain, its preferred place to replicate (make copies of itself). From the brain it is a short jaunt to the salivary glands in the neck/jaw. These glands become swollen and make it difficult, even impossible, for the animal to swallow. Therefore, actively rabid animals probably will not eat or drink and their muzzles may appear wet or frothy.

Once present in the saliva, the virus can be transmitted. Excessive saliva loaded with virus and the inability to swallow coupled with deteriorating brain function make this a very dangerous time for animals or humans who may wander into the path of an actively rabid animal. Fortunately death will occur within days or even hours, once the animal exhibits severe symptoms.

What does all this mean to public health?
All animal bites whether from an owned, vaccinated pet or a wild animal are investigated. Any domestic animal, regardless of its vaccination status, that bites a human undergoes a 10-day confinement. If after ten days it is still “alive and well” there is no risk that it was actively rabid and able to transmit the virus at the time of the bite.

Wild animals that have human contact (bite, scratch, etc.) are humanely euthanized and submitted to the New York State Lab in Albany for rabies testing. If positive, rabies vaccine is initiated. Five vaccinations are administered over the course of 28 days through one of our local emergency departments. As the vaccine takes a few days to work, it is necessary to administer immune globulin at a separate site at the time of the first vaccination. This “medication” offers immediate protection from the rabies virus. Though inconvenient, the “shots” themselves, like other routine vaccinations, are generally very well tolerated.

The rabies status of a stray or wild animal that cannot be caught and tested remains unknown. Individuals exposed to animals under these circumstances undergo vaccination.

What does this mean to you?
A healthy wild animal generally scares away easily and is neither overly friendly nor aggressive. There are some exceptions, of course. Sometimes animals simply do not want to leave the buffet. Garbage, birdseed, pet food, and small rodents in proximity to homes, barns and businesses are attractive free meals. Some animals, like fox pups we recently heard about, have become accustomed to the presence of humans and will not vacate the premises. In addition, an injured animal may have difficulty walking and may take up residence in a backyard.

Enjoy watching the animals in your community but always keep your distance. Keep pet food, birdseed and garbage in sealed containers. If an animal appears sick or wounded, leave it alone. Report aggressive animals to Ontario County Public Health if they are preventing you from leaving your home or moving about your yard.

We share our county with a variety of wild and domestic animals capable of harboring and transmitting the rabies virus. If you think you have suffered an exposure to the saliva of a potentially rabid animal, contact your physician or local emergency department as soon as possible. If you have been bitten or scratched, immediately wash the site with soap and water. Your physician will contact Ontario County Public Health concerning vaccine recommendations.

Bats are mammals and can also harbor the rabies virus. Possible bat exposures are handled on a very individual basis. All bat exposures including bats in living quarters should be reported to the Rabies Coordinator at Ontario County Public Health. 585-396-4343 or 1-800-299-2995.

Remember that New York State law requires the vaccination of all cats, dogs and ferrets. Owners of unvaccinated animals can be fined. In addition, if an unvaccinated pet is wounded by an animal that is not available for rabies testing, it must be confined for six months at its owner’s expense. Ontario County Public Health offers five pet vaccination clinics a year. As dates are arranged, these will be posted on this site. Protect yourself and your “best friend” from this deadly, preventable disease.

!!TAKE NOTE OF A NEW STATE LAW!! **If an animal, not up-to-date with its vaccination, bites a human, the owner may be fined up to $200 per incident plus the cost of a 10-day confinement in a shelter or kennel.**

2008 Rabies Prevention Clinic Schedule for Ontario County

Printable Schedule

Who is the owner of an animal? According to New York State law an "owner" is any person keeping, harboring, or having charge of, or permitting any domestic animal to remain on or be lodged or fed within such person's house, yard or premises.

Saturday, January 19, 2008	9:00am - 12:00noon	Safety Training Facility 2914 County Road 48 Canandaigua
Saturday, April 19, 2008	9:00am - 12:00noon	Seneca Town Barns 3649 Flint Rd Stanley
Saturday, June 21, 2008	9:00am - 12:00noon	Bristol Town Barns 6740 County Road 32 Canandaigua
Saturday, August 16, 2008	9:00am - 12:00noon	Farmington Town Barns Collett Road (about 500 feet from County Road 8) Farmington
Saturday, September 20, 2008	9:00am - 12:00noon	Hurley Buliding, 205 Saltonstall St, Canandaigua

• The clinic is free, but a donation of $5.00 per animal is appreciated.
• Cats/ferrets must be in a secure container
• One animal per container, please
• Dogs must be on a secure leash
• Adults should accompany children under the age of eighteen

If a cat, dog or ferret with an expired rabies vaccine, is exposed to a rabid animal
it must be confined for six-months at the owner’s expense.

ADULTS SHOULD ACCOMPANY CHILDREN UNDER AGE OF 18 YEARS.
You may attend any clinic regardless of where you live, even other counties.

For further information please call:

• Ontario County Humane Society – 585-396-4590
• Ontario County Public Health – 585-396-4343