Health Officials Urgently Search For 2 Who Brought Rabid Cat To Vet

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — County health officials are urgently trying to find two people who might have been exposed to the rabies virus, and not even know it.

The Westchester County Department of Health issued an urgent public notification on Tuesday regarding a sick and injured black cat brought to the Yonkers Animal Hospital, located at 526 Saw Mill River Road, on Thursday, December 12. The animal later tested positive for rabies.

The health department is seeking the man and woman who dropped off the cat, but did not leave their names or contact information. Health officials say they need to speak to them in order to determine whether they were exposed to the rabies virus, which is fatal if untreated.

If you are one of these individuals or had any contact with the cat, which appeared to be less than a year old and had likely been struck by a vehicle, you are asked to call the Westchester County Department of Health immediately at (914) 813-5000. This line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In the photos provided by the health department, when the cat was dropped off, the man was wearing an orange camouflage jacket and the woman carried the cat in a beige tote bag and wore a black jacket and a black hat with a pom-pom.

"Rabies is fatal, but it is also 100 percent preventable with post-exposure treatment," Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said. "To avoid rabies, steer clear of wild animals and strays. If you see an injured or sick animal, call police. Teach your children to not to approach or handle animals they don’t know, even if they appear young injured or friendly, and to tell you right away if they are bitten or scratched by any animal. It is also important to bat proof your home and keep your pets’ rabies vaccinations up to date. Discourage wild animals from visiting your yard by securely covering trash cans and keeping pet food and water indoors."

The health department added that unusual behavior may be the first sign of rabies in an animal. A rabid animal may become abnormally aggressive or unusually tame. It may lose fear of people and become excited and irritable, or appear passive and lethargic. Staggering and frothing at the mouth are sometimes seen. Any physical contact with a wild or unfamiliar animal should be reported to a medical provider. All animal bites or contact with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the County Health Department.

Find more information here or call the RABIES INFOLINE at (914) 813-5010.