Latest news with #rabies
CBS News
21 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
Nassau County declares rabies an imminent public health threat as cases rise. Here's what to know.
Nassau County is warning residents about the rise of rabies. The Department of Health declared an imminent public health threat Monday over the spread of rabies among wild animals. Health officials say 25 animals, including raccoons and feral cats, have been confirmed to have rabies since last July. They say this marks a significant resurgence of rabies after it was eradicated in the county in 2016. "Protecting public health and safety is a top priority in Nassau County," Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman said in a statement Monday. "With this declaration, we are taking decisive action to safeguard our residents, their families, and their pets from this dangerous virus." "The resurgence of rabies in Nassau County, with its high population density and after nearly a decade of absence, represents a serious and evolving public health concern," said Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman. "This declaration allows us to respond to prevent further spread and protect the health and safety of Nassau County residents." Earlier this summer, officials in Suffolk County also reported a rise in rabies cases after 15 years without any. Nassau County officials say they will continue with a rabies control program in the fall, which uses bait to immunize raccoons. Rabies is a viral disease that can be spread to humans and pets if an infected animal bites, scratches or their saliva contacts the eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound. Health officials say no human cases have been reported in the county to date. They recommend the following steps to protect against possible exposure: If you or your pets have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal seek immediate care. Then, call the Nassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9663. You can also report any dead, sick, or animals acting abnormally to rabies@ for collection and testing.
South China Morning Post
21 hours ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Rabies fears rise in Indonesia's Bali as tourist hotspots declared ‘red zones'
Authorities in Indonesia 's holiday hotspot Bali have stepped up emergency animal vaccinations and public health warnings after designating several popular tourist areas, including large parts of South Kuta, as rabies 'red zones' amid a surge in infections and animal bite incidents. Advertisement The Badung Agriculture and Food Service recently confirmed that at least one to two dogs in each of several affected villages tested positive for rabies this month. Under local protocols, the presence of even a single confirmed case is enough to classify a village as a red zone – an area where rabies is actively circulating and urgent interventions are required. Mass vaccination drives were launched following a spate of dog bites in those areas. Anak Agung Istri Brahmi Witari, acting head of animal health for the service, said much of South Kuta had been designated a rabies red zone. He emphasised that although there were not many cases of dogs biting humans – only one or two per village, on average – the potential for spread remained high due to the large number of strays in the area. 'The reason much of South Kuta is in the red zone is that the terrain has a lot of bushes, which are used as nests by stray dogs,' he explained on Friday, as quoted by local news outlet Bali Post. 'Even though there are only one or two cases per region, we take it seriously. We immediately carried out vaccinations and sweeps. What is important is not the number of cases, but the potential for spread,' he added. Tourists spend time at a beach in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia, on July 1. Bali has faced recurring rabies outbreaks since 2008 despite annual vaccination campaigns. Photo: EPA The affected areas in Badung Regency include Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua and Jimbaran, as well as parts of Mengwi district such as Pererenan Beach and Seseh – all popular with international visitors. Tourists are being advised to avoid contact with stray dogs and monkeys and to seek immediate medical treatment if bitten or scratched.
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Bat from Grey-Bruce tests positive for rabies
Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) officials have confirmed a bat's positive rabies test. It's the first confirmed case in the region this year. The bat had been sent for testing after a possible human exposure. Health officials say the risk of human transmission is low, but if contracted, it can be fatal. 'While the risk of acquiring rabies locally remains very low, this case highlights the importance of avoiding contact with wildlife and taking other steps to prevent animal bites and scratches,' said Chimere Okoronkwo, a senior public health manager with GBPH. There were 91 rabies cases confirmed in Ontario wildlife last year.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Stray cat in Coventry bit and scratched two people. Then it tested positive for rabies.
COVENTRY – A stray cat has tested positive for rabies, and the town's police chief is warning residents to check the vaccination status of their pets. "If you have had contact with an animal and you are not sure of its vaccination status, please contact us," Coventry Police Chief Benjamin Witt said in a news release. "Please take a minute to check your animal's rabies status. If you are unable to locate a rabies certificate for your animal, we advise you to contact your veterinarian to make arrangements to booster the rabies vaccination." Witt sent out the advisory after a resident trapped a stray cat "that was acting abnormally" on July 8. The cat was trapped at a home on Newell Court, off Main Street. The resident was bitten and scratched, and an animal control officer, who'd responded to a call from the resident, was also bitten and scratched, Witt said in the release. Because of the circumstances, the Rhode Island Department of Health tested the cat for rabies, and the results came back positive. "Both the resident and our Animal Control Officer were medically treated following the test results. We are working with the resident to locate any additional stray cats in that area," Witt said. What you should know about rabies? Rabies is a fatal disease if it is not treated before the onset of symptoms, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. Anyone who may have had direct contact with the cat should immediately call the health department's Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at (401) 222-2577 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or (401) 276-8046 after hours so a nurse can assess your exposure and determine if you should receive treatment, the health department said. Rabies treatment must be started as soon as possible after exposure and before symptoms appear, the department said. Anyone who thinks their pet may have come into contact with the cat should call the health department, the local animal control officer and the pet's veterinarian, the health department said. All dogs, cats and ferrets are required by state law to have current vaccination against rabies. Vaccinating pets prevents them from getting rabies and prevents people from becoming exposed to rabies through their pets, according to the health department. When was the last case of rabies in Rhode Island? The last case of rabies in Rhode Island for a domesticated animal was in 2018, when a cat tested positive, according to the health department. The last case of rabies in a human in Rhode Island was in 1940, the health department said. The health department makes the following recommendations to prevent rabies: Make sure all dogs, cats and ferrets are up to date on rabies vaccination. Securely cover all garbage cans so wild animals cannot scavenge for food. Avoid all contact with and do not feed stray or free-roaming domestic animals. Do not feed your animals outdoors, as this will attract other animals. This is especially dangerous when feeding large numbers of free-roaming cats. Protect your pets by always maintaining control; walk dogs on a leash or let them play in a fenced yard, and do not let pets wander unsupervised. Report all animal bites to your city or town's animal control officer. "As a reminder, please do not leave food outside for pets. Food will encourage stray or wild animals to come close to your home. If you feed a cat outside you are legally responsible for its care," Witt said. Anyone who needs help with vaccinating their animal or further information can call Coventry AnimalControl at (401) 822-9106. This story has been updated with new information. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Stray cat tests positive for rabies in Coventry, RI. What to know. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Coventry to host emergency rabies clinic after discovery of rabid cat
COVENTRY – Coventry Animal Control is hosting an emergency rabies clinic for pets after a feral cat was found to be rabid last week. The clinic will be from 6 to 7 p.m. on July 30 at the Coventry Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Rd. Animal Control is asking pet owners to pre-register at Pre-registered pets will be taken first. The clinic is open to Coventry residents, as well as non-residents. The cost is $20, cash only. Animal Control asks that all cats be in pet carriers and that all dogs be on leashes. For questions, contact Coventry Animal Control at 401-822-9106 Police Chief Benjamin Witt sent out an advisory last week after a resident trapped a stray cat "that was acting abnormally" on July 8. The cat was trapped at a home on Newell Court, off Main Street. The resident was bitten and scratched, and an animal control officer, who'd responded to a call from the resident, was also bitten and scratched, Witt said in the release. Both the resident and animal control officer received medical treatment. Rabies is fatal if not treated before the onset of symptoms, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rabid cat prompts emergency rabies clinic in Coventry Solve the daily Crossword
