Rabies prevention

  • Published
  • By Capt. Heidi A. Hernandez and Dr. Heather Mazzaccaro
  • Public Health
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Many residents here may not be aware that Massachusetts is considered a high risk for rabies year round. The Public Health Office is taking the time to educate families on the presence and threat of rabies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, how personnel can protect themselves, and the guidelines and treatments available for rabies.

Rabies is a viral disease that normally affects animals, but is capable of being passed to humans. Bats, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs (woodchucks), foxes, cats and dogs represent about 95 percent of animals diagnosed with rabies in the United States.

Humans can get rabies if virus-containing saliva from an infected animal enters the body of a human or other animal by way of a bite, scratch, break in the skin, or a mucous membrane exposure. In humans, the incubation period of rabies is usually 31 to 90 days, but in rare cases can be as short as 10 days, or longer than a year. There is a vaccine available for rabies but is normally reserved for people at high risk such as animal control officers.

Rabies Prevention Guidelines

The 66th Medical Squadron Public Health Office is advising residents to follow these guidelines in order to prevent rabies from being transmitted to themselves or their pets.

1. Immediately report a bite from a wild or domestic animal to your local health department. Wash animal bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible after the bite. Contamination of open cuts or scratches with saliva of potentially rabid animals should also be washed off immediately. Consult a physician as soon as possible.

2. Immediately report any wild animal showing signs of unusual behavior.
Signs of unusual animal behavior could be that the animal exhibits one of these signs.
□ moves slowly
□ acts as if it is tame
□ appears sick
□ has problems swallowing
□ has increased saliva
□ has increased drooling
□ acts aggressive
□ has difficulty moving
□ has paralysis
□ bites at everything if excited

Residents should avoid any contact with the animal and call the local animal control officer or local police department.

3. Ensure all family pets are up to date on their rabies vaccination. If unsure, residents should call their veterinarian. Call the local health department for free rabies vaccination clinic availability.

4. Residents should animal proof their home and yard. Make sure all garbage containers have tight fitting lids, do not leave pet food or water outside, do not allow rainwater to collect in outdoor containers or equipment and keep yard free of garbage and debris.

5. Do not feed or handle wild animals. Do not handle any dead animals with bare hands.

6. Residents should avoid contact with stray animals or pets other than their own.

7. Try to prevent pets from coming into contact with wild animals. If a pet does come into
contact with a wild animal or a stray and either injures or is injured by that animal, bring pet to the veterinarian for advice as they may require a rabies vaccine booster.

8. Screen off vents to attics and other areas that could provide shelter for bats.

Personnel can learn what to do if they find a bat in their home, by visiting http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/rabies/bat-what-to-do-in-home.pdf.

For more information on rabies, contact the Public Health Office at 781-225-6259 or the Veterinary Clinic at 781-225-2772. Additional information can be found on www.mas.gov and www.cdc.gov.