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For The Health Of It

This is the most recent entry to the blog. Previous blog entries can be found here.

Rabies Advisory
9-14-2017

Rabies has been identified in multiple species across the county, including a feral cat. Any animal acting exhibiting abnormal behavior in close proximity to residential areas should be considered dangerous.

To protect yourself, your family, and your pets please take the following precautions:

  • Vaccinate your pets for rabies! Pet dogs & cats should be up-to-date on rabies vaccinations & dogs should be wearing current license tags on their collar. For information on rabies vaccination for your pets, please call your local veterinarian or Chenango County Environmental Health at 607-337-1673.
  • If your pet has an interaction with any animal suspected of having rabies DO NOT handle your pet. If you must attend to your pet wear gloves, long sleeves and use extreme caution. You can be exposed to rabies from lingering saliva on a pet’s fur. The pet should be isolated and the saliva allowed to dry, this will kill the virus.
  • Keep pets on a leash when outside a fenced yard!
  • Enjoy wildlife from a distance! Do not attempt to feed, approach, or touch wild animals. Do NOT kill healthy appearing animals merely due to this warning.
  • If you see a wild mammal acting abnormally* report it to Chenango County Environmental Health at 607-337-1673.
  • Do NOT trap and relocate skunks! Doing so may spread rabies to other areas. If you have a nuisance animal, contact a professional wildlife control agent.
  • If you or a loved-one is bitten by an animal (wild or domestic), wash the exposed site immediately with soap and water & seek medical care. Be sure to report the bite to public health officials.

* Note: Rabid animals may show no fear of people and may even seem friendly. Rabid bats typically fall to the ground where they become accessible to kids and pets. For more information about rabies please call Chenango County Environmental Health at 607-337-1673.