A cat with rabies exposed 4 members of a family in Russell County and 11 employee at an Opelika veterinary health center, according to a declaration by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
In a different case, a raccoon with rabies was recognized in Lee County.
Both occurrences raise awareness of the value of vaccinations, authorities said.
“Vaccinating your animals against rabies is the best way to keep your pets protected from the deadly virus,” State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee Jones said. “Animal vaccinations also help protect people, who many times are exposed when the animal first becomes sick and before rabies can be confirmed, just as with this recent case in a cat.”
The cat was a roaming that assaulted the owner’s dog and the person was exposed at the time. The cat was required to a veterinary health center where it was quarantined and consequently passed away. It later on checked positive for rabies.
One individual in the center was bitten and 10 were exposed indirectly. In all, 15 individuals were exposed and received treatment at East Alabama Medical Center.
The raccoon with rabies in Lee County exposed someone. The most typical rabies variation discovered in domestic animals remains in raccoons, authorities said, and it is specifically typical in some parts of Alabama, consisting of Russell and Lee counties.
Rabies vaccines needed
Alabama law needs all dogs, cats and ferrets to be immunized at 3 months of age and every year afterwards unless they receive a 3-year rabies vaccine. The very first rabies vaccination is just great for one year, despite which vaccine an animal gets.
ADPH suggests the following to safeguard you and your animals versus rabies:
- Do not enable animals to run loose, restrict within a fenced-in location or with a leash.
- Do not leave leftover family pet food or scraps near your residence.
- Do not unlawfully feed or keep wildlife as animals.
- Do not go near wildlife or domestic animals that are acting in an unusual or uncommon way.
- Caution kids not to go near any roaming or wild animal, despite its habits.
“I ask everyone to please check their pet’s rabies vaccination status and to get them boosted immediately if they are not up to date,” said Dr. Homer Bruce, Lee County rabies officer. “Lastly, stray animals hanging around your property can expose you, your children, your pets, and your livestock to rabies. Please contact your local animal control agency for assistance with stray animals on your property. As always, please be ever vigilant and aware of wild animals hanging around and/or acting out of place on your property.”
Contact your vet if you cannot identify your family pet’s vaccination status.
