“ONLY YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR PET FROM RABIES”

Wicomico County Health Officials Urge Residents to Vaccinate Their Pets

(Salisbury, MD) The rabies virus is present in every county in Maryland and every year many pets in Maryland are needlessly euthanized due to exposure to suspected or confirmed rabid animals. Wicomico County Environmental Health Officials are urging residents to protect their pets and vaccinate them before it is too late. Rabies vaccine is the best way for pet owners to protect the pets they love.

Rabies is a viral disease transmitted from animal to animal or from animal to human by a bite and/or a scratch from an infected mammal. The virus can also be spread by licking, when infected saliva makes contact with open cuts or wounds, or with the mouth, eyes, and nose. Rabies can be carried by both wild animals (such as raccoons, foxes, and bats) as well as domestic pets or livestock (such as cats, dogs, and horses). The risk of catching rabies is low, but if infection occurs, the disease is fatal. For this reason it is important to understand that prevention thru current rabies vaccinations is the only practical way to protect yourself and your pets.

Maryland Law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated to protect against the rabies virus when they are four months old and requires the vaccine to be kept current. The first rabies vaccination is good for one year. The next rabies vaccination is usually good for three years. Pet owners should check with their veterinarian or their local Humane Society for specific information.

Exposure to a Suspected or Confirmed Rabid Animal: There is no treatment available once your pet has been exposed to rabies! If exposed to a suspected or confirmed rabid animal, the rabies vaccination record of the animal is immediately reviewed by the Health Department.

No Current Vaccination On Record: If a pet has not been vaccinated against the rabies virus, the consequences are severe. The State of Maryland requires by law that a pet be euthanized or complete a 180 day strict isolation quarantine. The Health Officer will issue an order if the pet is placed on this quarantine with specific guidelines, including immediate vaccination, isolation, deprivation of all human to animal contact, and direct monitoring of the pet’s health until the end of the quarantine by Health Department officials. The pet must be in a strict isolation enclosure or euthanized by day eight after the exposure.

Current Vaccination On Record: If the pet is current on the rabies vaccine, the consequences are less severe. The pet must receive a rabies booster vaccine and then complete a 45 day observation period. During the 45 day period, the owner is asked to keep the pet on their property, and under control of an adult. The pet owner must notify the Health Department of significant changes in health, personality or if the pet escapes or dies.

Vaccination is a simple, easy process. Don’t hesitate to vaccinate. Only you can protect your family and pets from the deadly rabies virus. For more information, please call the Wicomico County Health Department, Environmental Health Division at 410 546-4446 or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies

Lori Brewster, M.S., APRN/BC, LCADC
Health Officer
March 29, 2010