Spring Brings More Animals, and Possibly Rabies

Spring is when the North Shore Health Department starts to see an increase in reports of animal bites to humans.  People may get rabies when they are bitten by an animal that is sick with the disease.

Although local residents get their pets immunized against rabies, in Wisconsin, skunks and bats are the most likely animals to carry the rabies virus.  From 2005-2010, 120 bats tested positive for rabies in Wisconsin.  Rabies also has occurred in our state in dogs, cats, foxes, raccoons and livestock.

In 2009 and 2010, Bayside and Fox Point residents submitted five animals to the health department for rabies testing, including four bats and one vole.  Other communities submitted an additional 10 specimens.  All specimens were negative for rabies.  The animals are sent to the State Laboratory of Hygiene in Madison for testing.  There is no charge to residents for testing most animals which have bitten a human. 

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from rabies exposure is to avoid contact with wild animals.  Do not feed or handle them, even if they seem friendly.  Exclude bats from living quarters by keeping screens in good repair and by closing up any small openings that could allow them to enter.  Keep your dog, cat or ferret up to date with rabies vaccine. 

If you travel to a developing country where rabies is prevalent, ask your doctor about receiving the pre-exposure rabies vaccination before you go.

If you are bitten by any animal, domestic or wild, immediately wash the wound well with soap and water and see your health care provider.  If circumstances of the exposure warrant it, your health care provider may give you a series of injections to protect you from developing rabies. 

Persons who have been in close proximity to bats and who cannot rule out the possibility of physical contact with them should contact their physician.  If the offending animal can be safely captured without incurring further injury, it is generally advisable to do so, and then hold the animal until you can call the health department.