Post by Itrapny on Aug 13, 2007 19:19:06 GMT -5
From WKTV in Utica......
Rabies a large concern for Oneida County residents
Within the last week two animal attacks have taken place: one in Westmoreland another more recently in Taberg.
The Taberg incident involved a fox that may have been rabid.
Now, health officials are asking you to take the necessary steps if you encounter such an animal. Health officials want you to steer clear of any wild animal that appears to be acting strange.
Officials also say an incident over the weekend may have been rabies related. They say a fox attacked a young boy and scratched him. The fox was killed by sheriffs deputies and is currently being tested for rabies.
All the more reason, officials say, to be cognizant of animals who are not acting normal. They say the problem here is that people are exposed to animals who may carry the virus and allow them to escape or kill them and dispose of it themselves.
“It’s important the animal be captured if possible,” said Ken Finelli of the Oneida County Health Department. “Or if it’s killed certainly it should be tested and in those cases people should contact the health department.”
Children should be taught never to approach strange animals. If animal is showing aggressive behavior avoid it at all costs. In the case of bats, either capture bat for testing or contact the health department arrange to have bat picked up for testing. Don't leave your pets chained up outside unattended.
Another thing Finelli says is not to leave dog or animal food outside which would naturally attract other animals possibly even rabid ones to your property.
The section of the County Health Department, which focuses on rabies, refused repeated attempts to retrieve statistics on the number of rabies attacks and other pertinent information related to its problem in Oneida County.
For more information, check out:
www.oneidacounty.org/oneidacty/newfrontpg/hlth2mainindex.html
cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/
www.mayoclinic.com/health/rabies/DS00484/DSECTION=
Rabies a large concern for Oneida County residents
Within the last week two animal attacks have taken place: one in Westmoreland another more recently in Taberg.
The Taberg incident involved a fox that may have been rabid.
Now, health officials are asking you to take the necessary steps if you encounter such an animal. Health officials want you to steer clear of any wild animal that appears to be acting strange.
Officials also say an incident over the weekend may have been rabies related. They say a fox attacked a young boy and scratched him. The fox was killed by sheriffs deputies and is currently being tested for rabies.
All the more reason, officials say, to be cognizant of animals who are not acting normal. They say the problem here is that people are exposed to animals who may carry the virus and allow them to escape or kill them and dispose of it themselves.
“It’s important the animal be captured if possible,” said Ken Finelli of the Oneida County Health Department. “Or if it’s killed certainly it should be tested and in those cases people should contact the health department.”
Children should be taught never to approach strange animals. If animal is showing aggressive behavior avoid it at all costs. In the case of bats, either capture bat for testing or contact the health department arrange to have bat picked up for testing. Don't leave your pets chained up outside unattended.
Another thing Finelli says is not to leave dog or animal food outside which would naturally attract other animals possibly even rabid ones to your property.
The section of the County Health Department, which focuses on rabies, refused repeated attempts to retrieve statistics on the number of rabies attacks and other pertinent information related to its problem in Oneida County.
For more information, check out:
www.oneidacounty.org/oneidacty/newfrontpg/hlth2mainindex.html
cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/
www.mayoclinic.com/health/rabies/DS00484/DSECTION=