If I work outside, do I need to worry about rabies?

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question If I work outside, do I need to worry about rabies?

Answer Worrying about something doesn’t necessarily help the situation. Instead, the best course of action is to be aware and take steps toward prevention. This advice applies to almost everything.

An old-timey name for rabies is hydrophobia. This name refers to symptoms of the later stages of a rabies infection in which the human victim has difficulty swallowing, shows panic when presented with liquids to drink, and cannot quench his thirst.

Rabid animals do not dread or fear water. Even when their throat swells up, they will try to quench their thirst by continuing to lap water. Rabid animals have even been known to swim rivers to attack animals on the other side.

Rabies is a viral disease that causes brain swelling and eventual death in mammals. A simple vaccination can prevent this tragic result. Dogs and cats need to be vaccinated before exposure to rabies. Humans typically are vaccinated immediately after being exposed to rabies.

Although it attacks the nervous system, rabies is present in the blood and saliva of infected animals. Most folks know a bite from a vicious animal can transfer the disease, but they don’t realize that a lick from a calm animal can be just as dangerous.

In the past, human cases in the U.S. usually resulted from a dog bite. Nowadays, most cases of human rabies have been linked to raccoons or bats. Due to pet vaccinations, there have been no reports of rabies caused by dog bites in the U.S. for a number of years. While any mammal can contract rabies, homeowners should be most concerned about foxes, raccoons, coyotes and bats. Cattle, horses, deer and other herbivores can become infected with rabies, and although they could potentially transmit the virus to other animals and to people, this rarely occurs. (There was a case of a rabid beaver biting a swimmer in Lake Jordan a few years ago.)

People can reduce their risk of contracting rabies by reducing their interaction with wildlife. This can be achieved by eliminating food and potential shelter on their property. For example, use garbage cans with animal proof lids, and keep them in the garage or shed. Do not feed pets outside. If it is necessary to feed pets outside, remove uneaten pet chow immediately. Use low voltage electric fences to keep coons out of your garden. When it comes to shelter, plug all holes in roofs, eaves or sides of buildings. Cap all chimneys. If you already have unwanted residents, then call your local wildlife or animal control officers.

For more info on rabies, visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/introduction/intro.htm

If you do not have internet access, call 910-893-7533 or email gpierce@harnett.org

Keep your pets vaccinated, because everybody cried when Old Yeller died! Don’t be petting possums, or you may also be locked in the corn crib when foaming at the mouth.

http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/old-yeller.html

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent

Harnett County