All articles tagged with #rabies prevention
A bat found in a Northern Michigan home tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to advise caution, ensure pets are vaccinated, and seek medical attention if exposed, as rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear but preventable with prompt treatment.
Staff at a wildlife center in Virginia are wearing a fox mask to feed and care for a rescued newborn red fox in an effort to prevent the animal from becoming too accustomed to humans. The center aims to avoid imprinting and habituation by minimizing human interaction and using visual barriers. The center also highlighted the importance of handling wildlife with proper precautions to prevent the spread of rabies, despite the minimal risk from the fox kit.
The Douglas County Health Department in Nebraska is partnering with federal and local agencies to distribute oral rabies vaccine baits to prevent the spread of wildlife rabies, particularly among raccoons. The baits, coated with a fishmeal attractant, will be distributed across a 62-square-mile area in the county. This is the first time such baits will be used in Nebraska, and they have been proven safe for animals, including domestic dogs and cats. Humans and pets cannot contract rabies by contacting the baits. If found, the department advises leaving the bait unless it is in an area unlikely to attract raccoons, and using gloves to move it to a thicker cover.
A pregnant woman in Tifton, Georgia, was attacked by a rabid fox while trying to save her 17-year-old dog from the attack. The woman suffered bites and scratches before the fox was scared away by an outside cat. Unfortunately, the dog had to be euthanized. The fox was caught, euthanized, and tested positive for rabies. The woman is receiving medical treatment and urges others to be aware of the presence of wild animals and take precautions. The South Health District advises avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals, ensuring pets are vaccinated, and seeking immediate medical care if bitten by a wild animal.