A cat tested positive for the rabies virus in a populated area of Rensselaer County. The cat was captured on September 4 in the area of Capitol Boulevard and Route 150 in Sand Lake. Sick or rabid animals will demonstrate unusual behavior, such as no fear of humans, wandering around during daylight and wandering into residential areas.
If your domestic animal has wounds from an incident you did not see, prior to September 4, you should have the animal evaluated by your veterinarian.
A raccoon tested positive for the rabies virus in a populated area of Rensselaer County. The raccoon was captured on September 14, in the area of Highland Ave. and Bleecker Ave. in the City of Troy. Typically, raccoons will feed out of dumpsters, garbage cans and on food left out for other animals. Therefore, the County Health Department reminds residents of the importance of securely covering their garbage cans.
Keeping pets up to date on rabies vaccinations is also very important. This not only to protects the pets but also protects family members from potential exposure to rabies and the post-exposure rabies shots.
Rensselaer County Officials are reminding residents of the precautions, as well as the steps to follow if you or someone in your care comes into contact with an animal that could be rabid.
Rabies exposure can include a bite, a scratch or saliva contact with a rabid animal.
Residents should avoid contact with wild or stray animals.
Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Rensselaer County Department of Health for follow-up.
Although rabies is normally transmitted through a bite or scratch of an infected animal, the virus can be transmitted by contact with saliva through mucous membranes (such as eyes or nose) or through broken skin. Therefore it is important to remember if your pet or any animal is attacked or wounded by a potentially rabid animal, to protect yourself first and never handle the wounded animal with your bare hands.
For more information on rabies prevention, including the schedule of rabies clinics for your pets or what you should do if exposed to a potentially rabid animal, please contact the Rensselaer County Department of Health at 270-2655 or visit our web page at http://www.rensco.com/publichealth_vm_2.asp.