It’s that time of year again where people and pets spend a lot of time outdoors.  It’s also a good time to prevent rabies.

HERE’S THE FACTS:

• Rabies is found in the saliva and nervous system of an infected animal. The virus is spread from animal to animal, or animal to person by a bite, scratch, or mucus membrane (eye, nose, mouth, open wound) contact with the infected saliva.
• Bats, raccoons, skunks, and fox are the primary source of rabies in the United States. In Michigan, bats and skunks are the most well-known animals to carry the virus.

• A higher number of rabies cases occur during warmer months because animals and humans are more active during the spring and summer.
• Once an animal or a human starts to show symptoms of rabies, death is inevitable.
• In 2009, a 55 year old man died of rabies due to a bat strain of the virus. The patient did not seek treatment following an exposure to a bat months earlier. Prior to this, the last human reported case in Michigan was in 1983. A bat bite is also the suspected cause.

Rabid Animal Symptoms

Foaming at the mouth and erratic behavior are two of the most widely known rabies symptoms (Furious Rabies); however, sick animals can display unusually passive behaviors as well (Dumb Rabies).

Common rabid animal symptoms:

• “Depression-like” behavior and retreat to isolated places.
• Overly friendly to humans, especially wild animals.
• Signs of paralysis such as a drooping head, paralyzed hind limbs, abnormal facial expressions, and/or a sagging jaw.
• Extreme excitement and aggression such as attacking stationary objects or other animals and/or gnawing and biting their own limbs.

Residents should take the following precautions to protect themselves, their family members, and their animals from rabies:

• Never handle unfamiliar wild or domestic animals, even if they appear friendly
• If bit, wash thoroughly with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention.
• Keep doors closed and housing vents well protected against animal entry.
• Do not leave pet food or table scraps outside where they will attract wild or stray animals.
• Keep vaccinations current for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. Do not let your animals play with wildlife. Consult your veterinarian about vaccinations for horses and other livestock.
• Call animal control to remove any stray or to report any sick animals in your neighborhood.

Quick Links

DHD#10 – Animal Bites/Rabies
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention