The Liberty County Health Department encourages all residents to take proper precautions against rabies. Rabies is a deadly virus that can be passed to humans by animals, and raccoons are the primary carriers of the disease. Rabies is almost always fatal if an infected person isn’t treated immediately. In addition, if a pet has not been vaccinated against rabies and is exposed to the rabies virus, the pet must either be euthanized or put under strict, six-month isolation.
“Becoming infected with the rabies virus is something that can absolutely be avoided,” Liberty County Health Department Environmental Health Manager Linus Woodard said. “By taking the proper precautions to protect yourself and your pets, you can minimize the risk of contracting this potentially deadly disease.”
Rabies can be transmitted through the bite, scratch or saliva of an infected animal. The disease attacks the central nervous system and is often fatal. Rabies is carried by raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes and other mammals. Because family pets may encounter wild animals carrying the disease, it is extremely important to get pets vaccinated annually.
“Getting your pet vaccinated is easy, inexpensive and the best way to protect your pets from this disease, and it’s the law,” Woodard said.
The Liberty County Health Department offers these tips to protect you and your family from rabies:
• Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out overnight.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.
• Keep vaccinations up to date for all dogs, cats and ferrets. It’s the law and it’s an important protection for you and your pets.
Call Liberty County Animal Control at 876-9191 to report any animals behaving suspiciously. Animal Control will work with the Liberty County Health Department to investigate possible cases of rabies. If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately.