Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Genesee and Orleans County Rabies Data

How can I protect myself from getting rabies?

Do not feed or touch wild animals, stray dogs, or stray cats. It is against New York State law to keep wild animals as pets.
Make sure pets like dogs, cats, and ferrets, as well as horses and farm animals, have their rabies shots. These shots help protect them if they are around a sick animal. Pets that are too young for shots should stay inside or only go outside when an adult is watching them.
Keep your pets inside at night. Do not leave them outside alone or let them wander.
Do not do things that bring wild animals into your yard. Keep bird seed and food contained. Feed your pets inside. Keep garbage cans closed tightly. Cover any holes in your attic, basement, porch, or garage. Put a screen on your chimney.
Teach children not to touch animals they do not know and teach them to tell an adult right away if they are bitten.
If a wild animal comes into your yard, let it leave on its own. Bring children and pets inside. Let your neighbors know if they are outside.
If you find wild animals living in your home or other building like sheds or barns, it is best to contact a wildlife expert to remove them safely. You can search online for “pest control” or visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website to find help.

Report any animal bites or contact with wild animals to your county health department. If you can, do not let the animal get away if it may have exposed someone to rabies.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Infected mammals can transmit rabies virus to humans and other mammals. Rabies almost always causes death once symptoms appear.

What animals can get rabies?

Rabies is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with rabies. Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them against infection. Among domestic animals, cats are most frequently diagnosed with rabies in New York State.

Some animals almost never get rabies. These include rabbits and small rodents such as squirrels, chipmunks, rats, mice, guinea pigs, gerbils, and hamsters. It is possible for these animals to get rabies, but only in rare circumstances, such as if they are attacked but not killed by a rabid animal.

Reptiles (such as lizards and snakes), amphibians (like frogs), birds, fish, and insects do not get or carry rabies.

What are the signs of rabies in animals?

The first sign of rabies is usually a change in an animal's behavior. It may become unusually aggressive or tame. The animal may lose its fear of people and natural enemies. A wild animal may appear affectionate and friendly. It may become excited or irritable and attack anything in its path. Staggering, convulsions, choking, frothing at the mouth, and paralysis are sometimes seen. Some animals will make very unusual sounds. Infected animals usually die within one week after showing signs of rabies.

How do people get exposed to rabies?

People usually get exposed to the rabies virus when an infected animal bites them. Exposure may also occur if saliva from a rabid animal enters an open cut or mucous membrane (eyes, nose, or mouth).

What should I do if I am exposed to rabies?

Wash any wounds well with soap and water and get medical care right away.

Report all animal bites to your county health department, even if you are not sure you were exposed.

Try to keep track of the animal that exposed you and share this information with your county health department so they can try to catch the animal safely. If the animal is a bat, you may be able to catch it safely and take it to your county health department, where it can be sent for rabies testing if needed.

Watch this video to learn how to capture a bat safely:

What is the treatment for people exposed to rabies?

Treatment after rabies exposure is called rabies postexposure prophylaxis (RPEP). It consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) given as soon as possible after exposure, plus 4 shots of rabies vaccine given over two weeks. If there is a wound or known site of animal contact, the full dose of HRIG should go into the wound or site of contact, if possible. The first vaccine shot is given at the same time, with the remaining shots given on days 3, 7, and 14 following the initial injection. People who have weakened immune systems may require a fifth rabies shot if their doctor determines it is necessary.

A person who has already been vaccinated for rabies and is exposed to rabies must receive two booster vaccine shots three days apart immediately after exposure. They do not need a shot of HRIG.

What happens if rabies exposure goes untreated?

Being around an animal with rabies does not always mean you will get rabies. If you get treatment right away after an exposure, rabies can be prevented. If someone does not get treatment and starts to show signs of rabies, the disease is almost always deadly.

How do I protect my pets from rabies?

The best way to keep pets safe from rabies is to make sure they have their shots and stay up to date. If your pet is hurt by an animal that may have rabies, call your veterinarian right away. Your pet may need care. Even if your pet has had its rabies shot, it may need another shot within five days after the incident.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets at least 3 months of age. For upcoming clinics, please click here.