Rabid Bat In Colbert County Prompts Reminder To Immunize Pets, Alabama

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 11 Sep 2007 - 14:00 PDT

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The discovery of a rabid bat in Colbert County prompts health department officials to warn area residents to have their pets immunized and to avoid handling bats, wildlife and stray animals. The rabid bat, which had been played with by a pet cat, has been confirmed positive for rabies.

Environmentalist Jeff Black of the Colbert County Health Department stated, "Vaccination of domestic dogs and cats against rabies remains the best method of providing a protective buffer between wildlife rabies and humans. State law requires that dogs and cats 3 months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies annually."

Rabies is a disease of all warm-blooded mammals, including man, and is universally fatal to humans if specialized anti-rabies treatment is not obtained immediately. Raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks are most often responsible for transmitting the virus to domesticated animals and humans.

http://www.adph.org

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