 Feral
cat in rural southern Westminster found positive for rabies
Westminster, MD (June 6,
2018) – The
Carroll County Health Department announced that a young feral cat found near Frizzell
and Bloom Roads in a rural area of southern Westminster was found to be
positive for the rabies virus. The cat was an orange short-hair, about 6 months
old. An individual who was bitten and scratched by the cat will be treated for
rabies with a series of shots.
“Rabies exposure occurs through bites and scratches
or saliva from the animal getting into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or a
wound,” said Joe Mancuso, Rabies Program Manager at the Health Department. “We
do a thorough risk assessment with every person who was potentially exposed to
rabies through interactions with wild or stray animals.”
Anyone who may have interacted with this cat who
thinks that they or their pet could have been exposed to rabies through bites,
scratches, or saliva can call the Health Department at 410-876-1884 for more
information and a risk assessment.
Rabies is a serious
disease transmitted in the saliva of an infected animal. To date, 94 animals have been diagnosed with
rabies in Maryland in 2018, including raccoons, bats, and cats. All mammals are susceptible to rabies, including
wildlife and domestic species such as dogs and cats. Animals with rabies may act normally during the
early stages of the disease, making it difficult to know the animal is
infected. As the disease progresses, animals often show changes in behavior.
Wild animals may act very docile and domestic animals may become aggressive.
Rabid animals may stagger, drool, or become paralyzed.
When a person is bitten by or exposed to the saliva
of a rabid animal, the disease is prevented by a rabies vaccine series
administered over a 14-day period and a dose of rabies immunoglobulin given at
the beginning of the series.
Rabies can be
prevented by being careful around wild and stray animals. “Observe wildlife and
animals you don’t know from a distance, and keep your pets vaccinated,” advised
Mancuso.
“The Health Department offers two low-cost rabies
vaccination clinics each year to help county residents keep their pets
vaccinated.”
To keep yourself, your family, and
your pets safe from rabies:
- Do not approach, handle, or feed
wild or stray animals.
- ·
Have your dogs, cats, and ferrets
vaccinated against rabies and keep their vaccinations up-to-date. The next Health
Department low-cost rabies vaccination clinic will be on September 23rd from 2-4 pm at the Ag Center in Westminster.
- ·
Do not leave pets outside unattended
or allow them to roam free.
- ·
Cover garbage cans tightly and do
not leave pet food outside.
- ·
Teach children to stay away from
wild animals and any animals that they do not know.
- ·
Prevent bats from entering your home
by using window screens and chimney caps. Bats found in the home should be
safely collected, if possible, and tested for rabies.
- ·
If a wild or stray animal is sick,
injured, or acting strangely and is in your living space, call animal control
(410-848-4810).
- ·
If you or your pet have
been bitten or scratched by a wild or stray animal, wash the area
with soap and water for several minutes. Keep your pet away from other people
and pets. Then call your physician or veterinarian and contact the Health
Department (410-871-1884).
For
more information: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/Pages/rabies.aspx
For additional information, contact:
Joe Mancuso,
410-876-1884
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