FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 24, 2005

RABIES ALERT

Rabid Kitten in Hartsdale

The Westchester County Department of Health today issued a Rabies Alert to residents who may have had contact with an 8 week old grey and white stray kitten in the vicinity of Pinewood Road in Hartsdale during the past few weeks. The kitten showed signs of illness on May 21, 2005; the New York State Department of Health tested the kitten and it was positive for rabies. Prior to being captured, the kitten may have been in contact with people in the neighborhood.

"Anyone who believes that he or she, or a child or pet, may have had contact with this kitten should contact the Westchester County Department of Health immediately at (914) 813-5000 to assess his or her need for life saving rabies treatment," stated Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H., Westchester County Commissioner of Health.

Dr. Lipsman warns that anyone bitten by a rabid animal or having contact with its saliva may need to receive immediate post-exposure rabies treatment. “When administered early enough, before symptoms develop, the treatment is 100% effective,” he said. “However, once symptoms occur, in humans or animals, the disease is fatal”, he added.

“It is imperative for pet owners to immunize their animals against rabies and to ensure that these vaccinations are kept up to date," said Dr. Lipsman. "Previously vaccinated domestic animals such as dogs,

cats, and ferrets, that have experienced contact with this kitten require a booster vaccination within five days of exposure. Such incidents must be immediately reported to the health department," he continued. “If residents have questions, they should call us at (914) 813-5000.”

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Rabid Kitten P.2

Dr. Lipsman added, “A change in an animal's behavior is the first sign of rabies. A rabid animal may become either abnormally aggressive or unusually tame. It may lose fear of people and become excited and irritable, or, conversely appear particularly passive. Staggering and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noted. Adults should encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they have been bitten by an animal and to refrain from touching unfamiliar animals.”

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 INFOLINE at (914) 813-5010 or visit the Health Department’s Website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

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