10 Things You Must Know About Rabies

Sarawak being affected by Rabies!

So what should you do when you know there is a rabid dog in your locality. What are the things you must know if you are in such a situation? Read on to find out…

1. Call your veterinarian for an immediate appointment if you think your dog has had contact with a rabid animal! Report the incident to your local health department and follow their recommendations.
2. Call your doctor immediately for instructions if you have been bitten by a rabid animal! You may need to get a series of injections in order to protect your health. Also, contact your local health department to report the bite.
3. Do not attempt to handle or capture a wild animal, especially if he is acting strangely (i.e., a nocturnal animal who is out during the day, an animal who acts unusually tame). Report the animal to local animal control officers as soon as possible.
4. Avoiding contact with wild animals is also necessary to prevention. You may greatly decrease chances of rabies transmission by walking your dog on a leash, and supervising him while he’s outdoors. Unvaccinated dogs who are allowed to roam outdoors without supervision are most at risk for infection. They’re exposed to wild animals and have a greater chance of fighting with infected stray dogs or cats.
5. There is no accurate test to diagnose rabies in live animals. The direct fluorescent antibody test is the most accurate test for diagnosis–but because it requires brain tissue, it can only be performed after the death of the animal.
6. There is no treatment or cure for rabies once symptoms appear. Since rabies presents a serious public health threat, dogs who are suspected of having the virus are most often euthanized.
7. Keeping your dog up to date with vaccinations is not only essential to prevention, it’s the law. Check with your veterinarian about the right vaccine and vaccination schedule for your dog.
8. Vaccinating your pet not only protects him from getting rabies, it protects him if he bites someone. Dogs who have bitten humans are required to be confined for at least 10 days to see if rabies develops, and if the animal’s vaccination records are not current, a lengthy quarantine or even euthanasia may be mandated.
9. After having contact with a rabid animal, the rabies virus may remain alive on your pet’s skin for up to two hours. It is best not to touch your dog during this time. If you must handle your dog, wear gloves and protective clothing.
10. A dog who is up to date with his vaccinations and who has been bitten by a possibly rabid animal should also be given a rabies booster immediately and kept under observation for 45 days.

Please do not attempt to capture any wild animals. In fact, it is wise to safeguard your home against wild animals in the following ways:

• Cover or stuff holes larger than a quarter and caulk cracks that are 3/8-inch wide or larger.
• Make sure your screens have no rips or holes.
• Install chimney caps.
• Use screens to cover attic vents and make sure all doors are securely shut.

Contact your local animal control or fish and wildlife department for suggestions on how to handle nuisance wildlife. If you find a dead wild animal in your home, call your local animal control agency or use thick work gloves to place the animal in a small box. Seal the box with strong tape and contact your local health department for information about where to take the animal for rabies testing.

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• GetDoc
• rabid dog in your locality
• rabies
• sarawak