Rabies Public Education

Rabies Awareness Public Education

The summer months are approaching and with it is an increase number of animals in the community. These facts concern all animals, but mainly for the purposes of the City of Kyle an increase number of bats within the City have brought the need for awarenss education.

Facts

Each year many cases of rabies develop among Texas wildlife and domestic animals.
Rabies is a disease of overpopulation. It thrives where there is an abundance of wildlife, as there is in most counties in Texas.
People in several foreign countries and in some of our own states have, by working closely with their health and wildlife authorities, eliminated rabies as a threat to both animal
and human life.

What Is Rabies?

Rabies is a virus disease of the central nervous system.
It can be transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal, or through the saliva of a rabid animal being introduced into a fresh scratch or similar skin break, and rarely by other routes.
Saliva in contact with unbroken skin - or even on a scratch wound over 24 hours old, one where a scab has formed-usually will not require anti-rabies treatment.

Where Is Rabies Be Found?

At one time or another, rabies has occurred in almost every part of the world. An exception is Australia, where a case has never been diagnosed.
Some countries once affected have eliminated rabies entirely by stringent control and enforcement measures.
Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Hawaii, and the British isles have been free of the disease for many years.
Rabies is probably most prevalent in Russia, Belgium, France, the United States, Africa, Mexico and the lower Americas.

When Is Rabies Most Common?

Rabies is not confined to the so-called "dogdays" of July and August.
Most cases in Texas occur in the spring,
Rabies does occur through the entire year in Texas in both wild and domestic animals.
Rabies in bats occurs mostly in the warmer months.

What Animals Get Rabies?

All warm-blooded animals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies.
In Texas, skunks, bats, coyotes, and foxes are the most commonly infected animals.
Domestic dogs, cats, and livestock usually acquire rabies infections from wild animals; while the numbers of rabid domestic animals are fewer, their danger is greater because of their close association with humans.

How Is Rabies Spread?

A common distribution pattern is for a rabid skunk or fox to bite and infect one or more dogs or cats during a fearless invasion into a community.
The disease develops in the domestic animals along with the threat of their transferring the infection to other pets and perhaps humans.
Children-because of their closer association with the pets- are most often the human victims.This rapid spread is possible only in unvaccinated pets.

What are the signs and symptoms of an animal that has rabies?

Animals that have a change in behavior. A friendly dog might want to be alone. A shy dog might want attention. Rabid dogs often become mean, roam, make strange noises and attack people and other animals.
Rabid animals may drool, and they sometimes swallow stones, sticks and other things.
Wild animals that seem to be friendly or tame.
Wild animals (coyotes, foxes, bats, skunks, and racoons) which you do not usually see in the daytime.

How can we prevent the spread of rabies?

Your animals can be protected against rabies by getting a rabies vaccination. By law, in the state of Texas, your pet needs to be vaccinated each year.
Don't let your pets roam. When they roam, they have a greater chance of coming into contact with wild animals who might carry rabies.
Avoid contact with wild animals, including dogs and cats that you do not know. Do not try to hand feed wild animals and do not keep them as pets.
Do not touch sick or injured animals. Call and report them to an animal control officer.
Don't let your home become a target.
Do not leave food or water outside your house. This attracts wild animals to your home.

What do you do if you are bitten by an animal?

Quickly and thoroughly wash the bit with soap and water. Rinse it well. Put alcohol or iodine on it to kill germs.
Children need to tell an adult immediately.
See a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will decide if you need treatment to prevent rabies.
Contact a policeman, school guard, or other adult. Describe the animal that bit you--the kind, size, and color--to the doctor, local health authority, or animal control officer.

What is the Texas Department of Health doing to prevent the spread of rabies?

The Texas Department of health participates in a program called The Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (OVRP).
This program uses a vaccine that animals can eat.
They drop these vaccinated "treats" over areas in South Texas where the rate of rabies is high.
When animals like coyotes eat these treats they become vaccinated against rabies.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Texas Department of State Health Services - Infectious Disease Control Unit
1100 West 49th Street, Suite T801, Mail Code: 1960 PO BOX 149347 - Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 458-7676 - Fax: (512) 458-7616 - Telephone