Rabies Case Tests Positive

01/03/05

BINGHAMTON, NY - Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director for the Broome County Health Department, reported that on Thursday morning New York State Police responded to a call reporting a fox fighting with a dog in a neighborhood in Endwell. The fox was killed by the police officer and taken to a veterinarian under contract to the health department to be prepared for rabies testing. The specimen was shipped to the New York State Department of Health Laboratory and results were positive for rabies. The dog owner and a friend may have been exposed to fox saliva when tending to the pet. As a result both are receiving post-exposure treatment. The dog had a history of rabies vaccinations and only required a rabies booster, thus avoiding a six-month quarantine.

Ms. Edwards reminds people to avoid direct contact with unfamiliar or wild animals and to never bring them into your home. Protect your pet(s) by never allowing them to roam free. Consider keeping them indoors at night and make sure they get a rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccination is mandatory by Public Health Law for dogs, cats and ferrets once they are four months old. If an unvaccinated animal is exposed to a potentially rabid animal, the owner may either have the animal humanely put down or confine it to a cage for six months.

Since 1991, when the first rabid raccoon was found in Broome County, it has been determined that rabid animals can be expected throughout Broome County, not only in specific geographic areas. Because rabies exists in Broome County, all county residents should avoid wild animals, stray pets and pets they do not know. Individuals tending to a pet after an animal attack should wear gloves to avoid being exposed to saliva from a potentially rabid animal. After removal of the gloves, hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.