Reduce risk of exposure to rabies: avoid wild animals
By Haley Zachary, Communicable Disease program manager of El Paso County Public Health
As the weather gets warmer and we’re all spending more time outdoors, the chance of people and pets encountering wild animals increases, and with that the concern for rabies increases as well. Due to high rates of animal vaccination and treatment regimens after exposure to potentially rabid animals, the chance of contracting rabies in the United States is relatively low.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a deadly virus that causes brain and spinal cord inflammation in humans and other mammals. It is spread primarily through contact with saliva by a bite or scratch with an animal carrying the disease. Without appropriate treatment, it is almost always fatal in humans and animals.
What animals can carry and spread rabies?
Although domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, are able to contract the rabies virus and can transfer it to humans, the majority of human rabies cases in the U.S. come from wild animal encounters with bats, raccoons, foxes and skunks. In Colorado, rabies is primarily found in bats and skunks.
How to recognize sick wildlife:
• Healthy wild animals are normally afraid of humans. Sick animals may not run away
when spotted by people.
- Wildlife suffering from rabies will often act aggressively and violently approach people or pets.
• Sometimes rabid animals are overly quiet and passive and want to hide. If they are
hiding, leave them alone.
• Rabid wildlife might also stumble or have trouble walking.
- Sick or diseased wildlife should be reported to Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 719-227-5200.
What to do if you suspect that you or your pet were exposed to rabies?
If you are concerned you or your pet were exposed to a wild animal or to the rabies virus, immediately wash the wound area with soapy water or povidone iodine for 15 minutes, contact Public Health at 719-578-3220 and seek medical treatment if indicated.
Treatment known as Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is available for people known or suspected to have been exposed to a rabid animal, which is why it is important for people who have been bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal to contact their doctor immediately. However, this treatment can be expensive and unnecessary. Public Health can assist in making this determination with your provider and you.
What are the symptoms and severity of rabies?
The time from exposure to illness (the incubation period) for rabies can range from weeks to months, even up to a year. Initial symptoms include a fever with pain, tingling, prickling, muscle weakness and/or burning sensation at the wound site. Once the rabies virus reaches the brain, the disease is fatal. However, rabies is a preventable disease at any point prior to symptom onset, which is why it is important to contact Public Health and your health care provider if you are concerned about an exposure.
What can you do to keep yourself and your pets safe?
- Keep pets up to date on vaccinations and follow the recommended schedule for booster vaccines.
- Avoid contact with any wild animal, especially if it shows rabid-like symptoms, which may include aggressive behavior, confusion, walking around in a circle or lethargy.
• Never feed wild animals, and do not leave exposed pet food or garbage outdoors.
• Teach children to NEVER handle unfamiliar animals — even if they appear friendly.
• Supervise your pets when outdoors, and leash dogs when walking or hiking.
- Seal houses to prevent bats and other animals from nesting, and if already present, use a professional animal removal service.
If you, a family member or pet is bitten or scratched by a wild or unknown animal, call your doctor and report to El Paso County Public Health at 719-578-3220 or 719-235-2278 after hours.
