Rabies update
From Durham County Animal Control
This marks the fourth positive rabies case in this year for Durham County. Since January Animal Control has sent 31 bats removed from homes, 7 cats, 3 foxes, 2 raccoons, 1 beaver, 1 dog, 1 skunk and a vole. Only the foxes and the skunk proved to be rabid.
Animal Control officials warn that while there may be only 4 recorded positive rabies results since January this year that number is not indicative of the number of animals that may be positive within the territorial boundaries of the County. Animals are only sent in for testing for rabies when results need to be determined because they have exposed a human or a pet. Sick or injured animals that are impounded, but have not exposed domestic animals or pets are euthanized, but not tested.
Animal Control officials also warn citizens to stay away from wild animals and to refrain from feeding them in their backyards. While they may appear cute and beautiful to watch, they pose a great health and safety risk to humans and pets should they become infected with the disease. It is better to not escalate that risk by inviting wild animals to visit residential areas.
Durham County Animal Control also offers low cast rabies vaccinations to owners of dogs and cats for $10.00 at their office located at 3005 Glenn Road in Durham. Vaccination times are from 10:00AM to 12:00PM and from 2:00PM to 4:00PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If the times are inconvenient, citizens should call the office to make an appointment for a different weekday.
Labels: animal control
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6 Comments:
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By
Unknown, at 10:36 PM
Does that include feeding squirrels?
By
Unknown, at 10:37 PM
I believe it's considered to OK to feed squirrels.
To feed them to your dog, i mean.
By
Barry, at 10:49 PM
a vole? seriously?
By
Vera, at 11:08 AM
also, i have to say...if its not recommended to feed wild animals in your backyard, how is it ok to feed squirrels? because they "seem" harmless? they are def no more immune to rabies than any other animal...
nothing against them...just saying
By
Vera, at 11:10 AM
FWIW, i was making a weak joke, inspired by, i think it was, Tom Lehrer. (Or maybe it was Chris Rush?)
Anyway, i think the issue is going to turn out, re: squirrels, that you're going to hear the same thing you hear in regard to rabid possums. Namely that they're not a threat to humans since the rabies virus actually kills them fairly quickly. Not sure i agree with that assessment.
I'm working on a post right now that contains some information about how my old home of Suffolk County, Long Island is dealing with a recent outbreak of rabies among wildlife.
In addition to provide more extensive warnings, including telling people "Do not touch dead or dying animals. Use a shovel, wear rubber gloves and double bag the carcass, if you need to move them," Suffolk and neighboring Nassau County Health Department officials are attempting to provide oral rabies vaccines to wildlife in the affected areas. (Suffolk is a very large county, approximately 14 miles wide by 100 or so miles long. there have been about 19 rabies cases in the past 3 1/2 years, all of them within a 15 square mile area on the north shore near the Nassau County border.)
Personally, i think we need a stronger response from our county officials in regard to this latest incident. I've said it before, this is a disaster waiting to happen.
By
Barry, at 11:23 AM
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