70% of Americans who die from rabies in the US were infected by bats – CDC Vital Signs As the weather warms up in King County, adult bats come out of hibernation, baby bats are learning to fly, and humans get outdoors, which means a big increase in human-bat interactions compared to other times of year. Bats can be infected with rabies and can spread that infection to humans who have bare skin contact with bats or bat saliva. During May to July 2019, we’ve received fewer reports of exposures to bats (73 reports) than the same time period in 2018 (105 reports). One potential explanation for this decrease is that people are doing a good job taking proper precautions to prevent bat exposures. To help keep up the good work, we’ve compiled seven important things to know about bats and rabies. Please share this information with your friends, family, and children to make sure … [Read more...] about 7 things you should know about bats & rabies
Treatment for rabies exposure
After raccoon sprays rabies-infected blood in woman’s face, health officials urge Chattanooga residents to vaccinate pets
Gallery: Rabid wildlife moving closer to Chattanooga's urban core; health officials urge residents to vaccinate pets +3 more photos A rabid raccoon sprayed its rabies-infected blood in the face of a McKamey Animal Shelter employee earlier this year, causing her to seek life-saving treatment and marking the seventh time a wild animal tested positive for rabies in the county since the beginning of 2017. ANIMAL RABIES CASES IN HAMILTON COUNTY 1999: 02000: 22001: 42002: 22003: 02004: 152005: 32006: 42007: 42008: 42009: 12010: 02011: 42012: 12013: 02014: 02015: 02016: 02017: 32018: 22019 (to date): 2 At least five of those animals were found near highly populated areas: two in East Ridge, two near East Lake and one at the base of Lookout Mountain after no rabid animals were found in the county from 2013 to 2016. Health officials are concerned about the increasing number of rabid animals encroaching on the city's urban core and are urging residents to get their pets vaccinated at … [Read more...] about After raccoon sprays rabies-infected blood in woman’s face, health officials urge Chattanooga residents to vaccinate pets
Rabid raccoons found in New York City for first time in years
For the first time since 2011, rabid raccoons have been found in New York City. Health officials say they've identified four rabid raccoons in and around northern Manhattan's Inwood Hill Park since January, and two others in the Bronx and Staten Island. The New York City Department of Health is advising people to vaccinate their pets and to stay away from raccoons and other wild animals that can carry rabies."Rabies is a serious illness that poses a danger for you and your pets," Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot said in a statement. "Keep a close eye on your pets when you take them outside and if you see a wild animal – such as a raccoon – maintain a safe distance and do not approach it. Get your pets vaccinated against rabies, and if you think they've been bitten by a rabid animal, call 311," the city government information line.Rabies infection is rare in the United States, but it does still occur. In New York City, rabid raccoons were not seen for years following an … [Read more...] about Rabid raccoons found in New York City for first time in years
Rabies from a dog kills Virginia woman after yoga retreat to India
Breaking News Emails Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings. SUBSCRIBE Jan. 3, 2019 / 6:38 PM GMT / Updated Jan. 3, 2019 / 11:20 PM GMT By Maggie Fox The symptoms started with a pain in her right arm. The patient, a 65-year-old Virginia woman, went to an urgent care center and got painkillers. There was no hint that she in fact was infected with the world’s deadliest virus and was already destined to die – the price for contact with a puppy in India. Virginia health officials reported on her case Thursday, along with a warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the risk of contact with dogs and other animals while traveling in many developing countries. The patient had been on a seven-week-long yoga retreat in India just weeks before. “Tour members confirmed that the patient was bitten by a puppy outside her hotel in Rishikesh, India, and that the wound was … [Read more...] about Rabies from a dog kills Virginia woman after yoga retreat to India
Rabies kills woman after yoga retreat to India
Breaking News Emails Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings. SUBSCRIBE Jan. 3, 2019 / 6:38 PM GMT By Maggie Fox The symptoms started with a pain in her right arm. The patient, a 65-year-old Virginia woman, went to an urgent care center and got painkillers. There was no hint that she in fact was infected with the world’s deadliest virus and was already destined to die – the price for having played with a puppy in India. Virginia health officials reported on her case Thursday, along with a warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the risk of petting dogs while traveling in many developing countries. The patient had been on a seven-week-long yoga retreat in India just weeks before. “Tour members confirmed that the patient was bitten by a puppy outside her hotel in Rishikesh, India, and that the wound was washed with water, but no further treatment was … [Read more...] about Rabies kills woman after yoga retreat to India