March 11, 2008
Rabies on the rise
Last year Virginia had the highest number of reported cases of rabies in the past 25 years, according to a press release issued yesterday from the Virginia Department of Health.
There were 730 cases of rabies in animals last year. While most of those cases were raccoons and skunks, that figure includes 36 cats and 5 dogs, mostly strays that were not vaccinated.
"You may be inclined to help a stray domestic animal or a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal, but the animal could be infected with rabies. Feeding, picking up, or taking in such an animal could put you, your family, and your pets at risk for rabies," State Health Commissioner Karen Remley is quoted in the statement.
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus passes through saliva and is easily transmitted from an animal bite. It is almost always fatal in any infected animal or human.
And the 730 reported cases are only the ones confirmed.
"There are certainly more animals infected with rabies than the ones that are tested," said Julia Murphy, the state public health veterinarian.
Clearly the best way to protect your family is to refrain from contact with strays and wild animals. Even if they show no symptoms of being ill, they could be incubating the virus. If you are concerned about an unattended critter in your neighborhood, call animal control.
Of course you also need to keep your pets' immunizations current. Dogs and cats do not need to have a rabies booster every year, but your vet should be able to tell you when your pet needs his or her next dose.
Comments
[March 12, 2008 9:00 AM]
Ed S.Nona, any indication or speculation on why there may have been a rise? Has there been a rising trend? Perhaps the warmer winter allowing strays to forage more and come into contact with more people?
Fairfax Co. has what seems to be a large population of stray cats. When my wife and I moved into our new home, we found that many of larger storm drains serve as homesites for stray cats (they will often venture just outside the drain to watch for mice and other yummies). Animal control has realized the futility and expense of catching them, noting that they will not respond to stray cat calls, but will accept any trapped cats at the local shelter.
Though I've never come across a rabid animal, my father shot a raccoon once that we though was rabid. It stumbled through the backyard one morning. He sent the head off to be tested, and found it was not rabies (some other disease I cannot recall at this time).
Keep up with the immunization!
[March 12, 2008 11:53 AM]
Nona : →http://blogs.roanoke.com/thehappywag/The press release did not speculate as to why there were more reported cases of rabies, but I assume the key word there is reported.
I suspect as you do Ed, that more raccoon and skunk carcasses were tested because they were found in more populated areas, near homes and pets. And I think you are right that the hot, dry weather has a lot to do with the forest critters coming into the suburbs searching for water and food.
Roanoke had quiet a few bear sightings last year, including one on a busy downtown street, largely blamed on the dry weather.
Follow this link to a video of the bear chase:
http://www.roanoke.com/multimedia/video/wb/wb/xp-126467