Rabies
the facts
Who gets rabies?
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans. This means it can infect you or your family. Raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats, woodchucks, cats, dogs, and cattle are most likely to get rabies. Rabbits, opossums, squirrels, hamsters, rats and mice seldom get rabies. Birds, reptiles and fish do not get rabies.
How is rabies spread?
The rabies virus is concentrated in the saliva (spit) of infected animals and is spread when they bite or scratch. It also can be passed through the saliva of an infected animal wound or into the eyes or mouth of a person handling a rabid animal without an actual bite occurring. The most effective way to prevent the spread of rabies to humans is by vaccinating domestic animals.
Why do I need to know this now?
An epidemic of rabies carried by raccoons has spread up the East Coast. For the first time in decades, there have been reports of rabies-infected cats and dogs in New England. Rabid raccoons are a greater threat than rabid bats or other animals because raccoons share habitat with humans and their pets.
What can I do to protect my pets?
Vaccinations are available to ensure that your dog or cat will not get rabies. It is your responsibility to make sure that shots are kept up to date.
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans. This means it can infect you or your family. Raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats, woodchucks, cats, dogs, and cattle are most likely to get rabies. Rabbits, opossums, squirrels, hamsters, rats and mice seldom get rabies. Birds, reptiles and fish do not get rabies.
How is rabies spread?
The rabies virus is concentrated in the saliva (spit) of infected animals and is spread when they bite or scratch. It also can be passed through the saliva of an infected animal wound or into the eyes or mouth of a person handling a rabid animal without an actual bite occurring. The most effective way to prevent the spread of rabies to humans is by vaccinating domestic animals.
Why do I need to know this now?
An epidemic of rabies carried by raccoons has spread up the East Coast. For the first time in decades, there have been reports of rabies-infected cats and dogs in New England. Rabid raccoons are a greater threat than rabid bats or other animals because raccoons share habitat with humans and their pets.
What can I do to protect my pets?
Vaccinations are available to ensure that your dog or cat will not get rabies. It is your responsibility to make sure that shots are kept up to date.