Rabies Case Tests Positive
BINGHAMTON, NY - Robert Denz, Director of Environmental Health Services for the Broome County Health Department reported today that a skunk involved in an exposure incident on October 22, 2004 in rural Colesville, tested positive for rabies. The skunk fought with a pet dog. The skunk was killed and sent for rabies testing to confirm that this unusual behavior was due to a rabid animal. The dog was not current with rabies vaccination so the pet owner must either quarantine the dog for six months or have the dog humanely put down. No humans were exposed in this incident. Since January 2004, 159 specimens have been sent for testing and 10 have been positive.
Since 1991, when the first rabid raccoon was found in Broome County, it has been determined that rabid animals can be expected throughout Broome County, not only in specific geographic areas. "Because rabies exists in Broome County, all country residents should avoid wild animals, stray pets and pets they do not know", said Mr. Denz. "This is also why it is important for all pet owners to keep their animals current with rabies vaccination".
Mr. Denz reminds residents to avoid direct contact with unfamiliar or wild animals and to never bring them into your home or yard. Protect your pet(s) by never allowing them to roam free. Consider keeping them indoors at night and make sure they get a rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccination is mandatory by Public Health Law for dogs, cats and ferrets once they are four months old. If an unvaccinated pet is exposed to a potentially rabid animal, the owner may either have the animal humanely put down or confine it to a cage for six months. The owner of an unvaccinated pet is also subject to a penalty of up to $200. Unvaccinated pets biting humans must also be confined at an animal shelter at the owner's expense.
If you are bitten, scratched or have contact with an animal you believe to be rabid, immediately wash the wound, seek medical attention, and report the incident to the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.2887. After normal business hours, residents with urgent inquires can call, Broome County Emergency Dispatch at 607.778.1911. A dispatcher will then contact Health Department staff for you.
The Front Street Dog Shelter Alliance in conjunction with the Broome County Health Department will hold one final rabies vaccination clinic this year. Broome County residents who have not had their dogs, cats or domesticated ferrets vaccinated are encouraged to attend this final clinic for 2004 on Saturday, December 11, 2004, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon at Fire Station #4 on Robinson Street in Binghamton.
Vaccinations are available at no cost. A $5.00 donation is requested but not required. All animals must be at least three-months-old and under the control of the owner at the clinic. Animal owners must bring a Certificate of Immunization to the clinic for animals immunized previously.
For more information about the Rabies Clinic, call the Broome County Health Department Division of Environmental Health Services at 607.778.2887 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. Visit our web site at www.gobroomecounty.com/hd/ for additional information about rabies.
CONTACT:
Diane O'Hora, Director of Health Education
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.3921
email: jcchytilo@co.broome.ny.us
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.2887
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