Improved rabies vaccination programs for domestic animals (cats, dogs, ferrets, etc.) and better treatment for people who have been bitten have dramatically reduced the number of human rabies cases in this country. Most recent human cases acquired in the U.S. have resulted from exposure to bats. In Kentucky, we have skunk and bat variant rabies. To prevent the spread of rabies to humans, keep your pet’s vaccinations current and avoid contact with wild animals.
Wild animals should not be kept as pets. They are a potential rabies threat to their owners and to others. Observe all wild animals from a distance, even if they do appear friendly. A rabid animal may act tame.
KRS 258 requires that all dog, cat, and ferret owners have their pet initially vaccinated by the age of four months and revaccinated against rabies at the expiration of the immunization period as certified by a veterinarian.
All dogs, cats, etc. that have bitten any person are quarantined to try and prevent the spread of rabies in the animal population and to protect humans from contracting the disease.
The animals are quarantined for a minimum of ten (10) days from the date of the bite at a place designated by the health department. Animals that seem healthy at the end of the ten (10) days are released.
If you have been bitten:
- Don’t panic, but don’t ignore the bite.
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
- If possible, capture the animal or at least try to identify it before it runs away. Don’t try to pick the animal up. If the animal cannot be confined or if the animal must be killed to prevent or end the encounter, try not to damage the head of the animal. The brain will be needed to test for rabies.
- Depending on the severity of the bite, immediately contact your physician and then our department. The information needed is as follows: name, address, and phone number of animal owner, date of bite, victim’s name, victim’s address, victim’s phone number, and location of the bite on the body.
- All animal bites should be reported to the local health department.
