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| Rabies |
Rabies is an infectious viral disease
that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People
get rabies from the bite of an animal infected with rabies (a rabid
animal). Any wild mammal, like a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or bat
can have rabies and transmit it to people. Dogs and cats, and other
domestic animals can also transmit rabies. It is also possible, but
quite rare, that people may get rabies if infectious material, such
as saliva, from a rabid animal, gets directly into their eyes, nose,
mouth or a wound.
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Because rabies is a fatal disease, the
goal of the Pima Animal Care Center is, first, to prevent
human exposure to rabies through education and, second, to respond
to any cases in which exposure to a rabid animal might have occurred
and impound the animal for quarantine or laboratory testing to determine
whether or not exposure occurred.
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Most of the rabid animals found
recently in Pima County are bats. Awareness of the facts about rabies can help people protect themselves, their families
and their pets. This information bats
and rabies may also help to clear up misunderstandings
about bats.For more information on rabies visit the rabies page on
the CDC
(Center for Disease Control) site.
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How can rabies be prevented?
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Teach children never
to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if it appears
friendly."Love your own, leave other animals alone"
is a good principle for children to learn.
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Wash any wound from
an animal thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention
immediately
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Call Pima Animal Care Center at 243-5900 to report contact or possible exposure to Bats or Skunks.
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Be a responsible pet owner by keeping vaccinations current for all dogs (it is the law!), cats and ferrets. Keep your cats and ferrets inside and your dogs under supervision. Call Pima Animal Care to remove stray animals from your neighborhood and consider having your pets spayed or neutered
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.Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas where they might contact people and pets.
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