Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system and is almost always fatal. The virus lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. The virus can infect livestock, pets, wildlife and people.
It is spread mainly through bites from infected animals, but can be passed by scratches from an infected animal or when infected saliva or brain tissue comes in contact with open wounds, skin breaks, or mucous membranes. Mainly wild animals carry rabies, including raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. However, stray dogs and cats are also a problem.
A change in "expected" behavior is the most consistent sign of rabies. There are two common forms of rabies, "dumb rabies" and "furious rabies." Each form of rabies can end in paralysis, coma and/or death.
Dumb rabies is characterized by the animals becoming shy or rude or being unusually approachable. Followed by sluggishness, confusion and depression.
Furious rabies is characterized by the animals becoming excitable, irritable and aggressive. At times it may seem confused and calm, then suddenly attack when approached. It may lose all caution for natural enemies.
Other signs of rabies include daytime activity in animals normally active at night; staggering, weakness and paralysis; a change in the sound of the animal's voice; inability to eat or drink; drooling, convulsions, and frothing at the mouth in wild or stray animals and pets.
WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR PETS
Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals, and be cautious of stray dogs or cats that appear sick with signs of rabies.
Teach children to leave wildlife alone. Be sure your child knows to tell you if an animal bites or scratches them.
Have your veterinarian vaccinate all of your dogs, cats or ferrets against rabies, and keep the vaccinations up to date. (There is a legal requirement to do this.)
Tightly cap garbage cans, and do not attract wild or stray animals to your home or yard. Always purchase metal cans with tight fitting lids. This will also help eliminate other types of pests (i.e. rats).
Feed your pets indoors; never leave them outside unattended.
Confine your animals to your property.
Act on any attack or bite suffered by your pet. Contact your veterinarian and your local health department.
If you notice signs of rabies in an animal, steer clear and call your local health department or animal control authority.
If you are bitten:
Wash the wound thoroughly with warm soapy water
If the animal is wild, confine it if possible. Call the local animal control authorities at once. Kill the animal only as a last resort, but do not damage its head. The animal's brain tissue may need to be tested.
If the animal is a pet, get the owner's name and address and ask for proof of rabies vaccination.
Call your physician at once—he or she can determine if you need rabies shots.
Report the bite to the health department or animal control authorities. (The law requires all pets suspected of rabies be confined and observed.)
WHAT THE HEALTH DISTRICT IS DOING ABOUT RABIES
The Youngstown City Health District, in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Health, offers an oral rabies vaccination program for wild raccoons. This program consists of baiting or vaccinating the raccoons twice a year in the spring and fall.
The raccoon is vaccinated by eating the bait containing the vaccine distributed, by air and by hand, in areas frequented by raccoons. Vaccination decreases the chance of human and domestic animal contact with raccoons. Raccoons are live-trapped a few weeks after distribution of the vaccine bait, so that a blood sample may be drawn and tested for antibodies against rabies. The presence of antibodies ensures that the raccoon has been immunized.
