FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2006

CUTE, CUDDLY, DEADLY - HEALTH DEPARTMENT WARNS

AGAINST RABIES FROM BABY ANIMALS

Although baby animals, like raccoons or stray kittens, are very cute, residents should resist the urge to pet or handle these little critters because even baby animals can be infected with rabies. To reduce your risk of contracting rabies, the Westchester County Department of Health is reminding residents never to touch any wild or stray animal and to make sure that their pets are vaccinated against rabies.

“A special problem arises at this time of year because wildlife are having their young and some residents are bound to come across baby animals,” stated Joshua Lipsman, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health. “Unfortunately, many people forget the imminent threat of rabies when they encounter baby animals. For their own safety, and to avoid having to sacrifice animals for rabies testing, residents should leave all wildlife and stray animals alone. Parents should also be certain to educate their children to avoid handling wild or stray animals,” added Dr. Lipsman.

Rabies is a fatal disease that is spread through the bite or saliva of infected animals. People can become infected with rabies through physical contact with wildlife or unimmunized household pets that harbor the disease. Westchester County law requires that all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies and that the vaccinations be kept up to date. New York State Law requires the rabies vaccination of ferrets as well.

The Health Department advises residents not to try to rescue or save baby animals, even if it appears that they have been abandoned. People often see baby animals and assume that they have been orphaned or abandoned when in reality that is not the case. Mother animals must spend time away from their babies to search and find food for their young. Chances are the mother is nearby, and if not, there are professionals who

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are much better equipped to deal with these kinds of situations in the proper manner so that the sacrifice of the animal does not become necessary.

Dr. Lipsman warns that anyone bitten by a rabid animal or having contact with its saliva may need to receive immediate 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 almost always fatal,” he added.

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

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