Pest management provides facts on preventing rabies

  • Published
  • By Rick Gilbride
  • 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron pest management supervisor
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Though human cases of rabies are extremely rare in Georgia, there are only three cases worldwide of people surviving a confirmed case.

The risk of rabies to humans and pets increases as more houses are built on wildlife habitats.

For instance, in 2006, nine cases of rabies were confirmed in Lowndes County, Ga., nearly double the annual average.

It's not surprising to learn that most of the reported rabies cases occurred in development areas.

Wildlife habitat in developing areas is rapidly reduced, condensing the local population of wild animals and making it more likely that they come into contact with humans and their pets.

In February a rabid raccoon was found in Baldwin County, Ala., and a stray cat tested positive for rabies in St. Marys, Ga.

Raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats serve as the primary reservoirs of rabies in Georgia, accounting for 92 percent of animal species testing positive for rabies.

Though bats account for only 6.6 percent of the animals that tested positive, several factors may explain the association of bats with human cases of rabies.

It is often difficult to confirm a bat bite. The mouth of a bat may be less than 1/8 inch across and many people may not be aware that they have been bitten. A person may wake up to find a bat in the room with them or they may feel they were simply "brushed" by a bat. In addition, there is a lack of public awareness that bats are carriers for the rabies virus.

The highest risk of rabies transmission is associated with a bite from an infected animal, in particular carnivores and bats. In addition, direct contact of an open cut with saliva or central nervous tissue from a rabid animal may result in rabies transmission.

There are several facts individuals should know about rabies in Georgia:

-In Lowndes County, the law requires dogs, cats and/or ferrets to be vaccinated for rabies by a veterinarian annually.

- Don't allow pets to roam freely, especially in areas where interaction with raccoons and other carrier species is common.

-Don't approach a wild animal and also teach young children to leave them alone. If a wild animal allows a human to approach closely, there is a likelihood the animal has something wrong with it, possibly rabies.

-If a rabid animal is roaming the yard or home, trap the animal only if it is safe to do so. Do not risk a bite for the sake of catching the animal. Contact the county health department or animal control for pick-up and evaluation.

-If a bat is found in a room where anyone has been sleeping, assume that the person has been bitten and seek medical attention. Attempt to capture the bat only if safe to do so.

-If an individual or a pet is bitten by a wild animal, it is important to seek medical attention right away. If the animal can be safely trapped, allow someone else to do that. Any bite on a human should be immediately washed with soap and water and that individual must be seen by a doctor. Take the affected pet to the veterinarian right away for evaluation and treatment.

For more information, call (229) 257-4397.