news release

 

ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive

JOSHUA LIPSMAN, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health

 SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director of Communications

 

 

CONTACT:     SUSAN TOLCHIN                                                                            (914) 995-2932

                           MARY LANDRIGAN                                                                     (914) 813-5013

                                                                                                                                      (914) 813-5000 (After Hours)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                  June 22, 2004                      

 

THINK YOUR PET IS PROTECTED AGAINST RABIES?

THINK AGAIN

When it comes to vaccinating your pet against rabies, once is just not enough according to the Westchester County Health Department.  Routine booster shots are also needed to fully protect pets from the rabies virus and to avoid transmission of this fatal disease to humans.

“People often have their puppies or kittens vaccinated against rabies and then think they are set for life,” said Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health for Westchester County.  “That is a mistake. Regular booster shots are essential to protect your pet and yourself and are required by law.”

Under New York State law, dogs, cats and ferrets must receive their first rabies vaccination no later than four months after birth. A second rabies shot must be given within one year of the first vaccination with additional booster shots given every one or three years after that, depending on the vaccine used.  Owners who fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep the vaccinations up-to-date may be fined up to $200.

“It is important for pet owners to know that if their pet is not up-to-date with its rabies vaccinations and it has a fight with a rabid or suspect-rabid animal, or if it bites or scratches someone, the pet will either be euthanized or quarantined for six months,” said Dr. Lipsman.  “A pet that is up-to-date with its vaccinations would only need to get a booster dose of vaccine within five days of the incident,” he said.

For the convenience of Westchester residents, low-cost rabies vaccination vouchers to assist residents in having their pets vaccinated are offered through the Westchester County Health Department.  In addition, staff at the Health Department are available around the clock, to help anyone who may have been exposed to rabies, by calling (914) 813-5000.                                                                                                                            

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RABIES VACCINATIONS – Page 2

Rabies is a fatal disease that is spread through the bite or saliva of infected animals.  Those animals most commonly infected are raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes.  However, domestic animals such as cats and dogs are also at risk because they can easily contract rabies from wild or stray animals.

A change in an animal’s behavior is often the first sign of rabies.  A rabid animal may become either abnormally aggressive or unusually tame.  It may lose fear of people and become docile or it may become particularly excited and irritable.  Staggering, spitting and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noted in infected animals.  Adults should encourage children to avoid touching unfamiliar animals and to immediately tell an adult if they have been bitten or scratched by an animal.

All animal bites or contact with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Health Department at (914) 813-5000, 24 hours a day.  To learn more about rabies and its prevention, residents can also call the Rabies Hotline at (914) 813-5010 to hear a taped message or they can visit the Health Department website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

 

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