Animals Test Positive for Rabies in Southern End of County
(Town of Hamilton, Lebanon, NY – March 22, 2015) Madison County Health Department announced its first positive rabies results this year in three animals. In the Town of Lebanon a cow and cat tested positive for rabies and in the Town of Hamilton a cat also tested positive for rabies.
The unvaccinated cow was this year’s first confirmed animal to be infected with the rabies virus in Madison County, followed by the two cats testing positive for rabies a few days later. Both cats were barn cats. One cat came from the same location as the rabid cow in Lebanon and the other cat from a farm nearby in Hamilton, a little more than 1,800 feet away.
Residents, farmers and owners of livestock should ensure pets and livestock are current on rabies vaccinations as rabid wildlife is present throughout the Central New York area.
Public Health Law requires all pets be vaccinated by 3 months of age, and it is recommended that livestock also be vaccinated for rabies. All horses should be vaccinated, and vaccination is also recommended for cattle and sheep, species for which licensed vaccines are also available. Particular consideration should be given to vaccinating livestock that are particularly valuable as well as those animals that have frequent contact with humans, such as those who compete at fairs or are exhibited at petting zoos and other public venues.
Vaccination should also be considered for animals housed in structures with roosting bats or frequented by feral cats. Keeping barns, fences, and other barriers secure and closed from outside wildlife is an important measure to safeguard both animals and the people who care for them.
The Madison County Health Department is alerting residents to be on heightened alert to animals exhibiting unusual behavior that may show signs of rabies, including:
Wild animals acting unusually tame or unafraid of approaching people.
Nocturnal animals, such as raccoons, skunks and bats that are active during the day.
Bats that are unable to fly or have been caught by a domestic pet.
Pets that are having trouble walking, drinking, or eating, or display a change in temperament.
Signs of rabies may progress within days to weakness, paralysis, seizures, difficulty swallowing, foaming at the mouth, abnormal behavior, and/or becoming aggressive. Any animals exhibiting abnormal behavior or otherwise ill should be reported to their veterinarian and the Health Department.
Unvaccinated livestock or pets with known contact with a rabid animal must be euthanized unless quarantined for a period of six months. Approved quarantine on a farm or at home means isolation from other farm animals and pets and all humans, except for the person caring for the animal.
The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of a rabid animal when it bites a person or
another animal. Rabies can also be transmitted when saliva from a rabid animal gets into a break in the skin or mucous membranes, such as eyes, nose, or mouth.
If you are bitten or scratched by an animal: Immediately wash the woundwith soap and water. Call your doctor for medical attention and call Madison County Health Department at 366-2526.
For more information about rabies visit www.cdc.gov/rabies.
For information about vaccinating livestock for rabies, residents should contact their local large animal veterinarian.
For the complete list of 2015 rabies vaccination clinics for pets, call the Madison County Health Department at 366-2526 or go to healthymadisoncounty.org.
Complete list of Madison County Department of Health 2015 Rabies Clinics:
Date Location Time
Wednesday, March 25 MADISON Fire House – 7362 Rt. 20 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Saturday, April 11 CHITTENANGO Fire House – Rt. 5 9:00 AM-NOON
Tuesday, April 21 FENNER Town Garage – 3005 Fenner Rd 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Wednesday, May 13 STOCKBRIDGE Highway Dept. – Main St. Rt 46 5:00 PM–7:00PM
Wednesday, June 3 MORRISVILLE Agricultural Center – Eaton St. 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Tuesday, June 23 WAMPSVILLE Highway Garage – N. Court St. 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Tuesday, July 7 BROOKFIELD Madison Cty. Fairgrounds 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Tuesday, July 28 GEORGETOWN Highway Garage – Rt. 26 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Wednesday, August 19 NEW WOODSTOCK Fire House – Mill St. 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Saturday, September 19 WAMPSVILLE Highway Garage – N. Court St. 9:00 AM-NOON
Wednesday, October 7 BRIDGEPORT STATION #1 Fire House – Rt. 31 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Saturday, December 5 ONEIDA VETS FIELD – North Main St. 9:00 AM-11:30 AM