The Westchester County Department of Health has joined with the New York State Department of Health in declaring May 1 - May 31, 1999, as Rabies Awareness Month.

Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in Westchester County. With the coming of warm weather and increased contact between wildlife, humans and pets, the Westchester County Department of Health reminds all residents to immunize their household pets and to avoid contact with wild or stray animals.

"It is essential that pet owners make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies, and that their pets’ vaccinations are kept up-to-date," said Dr. Harold N. Adel, Commissioner of Health for Westchester County. "Vaccinated animals that come into contact with wild animals can be given booster vaccinations, but these shots must be administered within five days of exposure," he said.

In addition to domestic animal rabies, bat rabies continues to be a great concern. "In the past five years, two people have died in New York State from bat-associated rabies," stated Dr. Adel. "Bats are capable of transmitting rabies without a person being aware that they have been bitten or scratched. If a bat brushes by you, or is present in your home while you are asleep, post-exposure rabies may be necessary," he warned.

Homes should be bat-proofed:

• Pay particular attention to openings in chimneys, vents, junctions between walls, between the roof and walls, and window screens.
• If despite all of these measures, there is contact with a potentially rabid animal, the most important thing one can do is to make sure that an animal is caught and tested for rabies.

The Health Department warns that if you are bitten by a rabid animal or come in contact with its saliva, you may need to receive immediate post-exposure rabies treatment. It is 100% effective if administered early enough after the exposure to rabies and before symptoms develop. Once symptoms occur, in humans or animals, death is inevitable. Hunters and taxidermists should discuss the need for pre-exposure rabies treatments with their doctors.

All animal bites or contacts with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, 24 hours a day. For more information about rabies and its prevention, residents can also call the RABIES HOTLINE at (914) 637-4718.