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Rabies in the Rochester-area News

  Rabies online Resources for Rochester

("We [New York State] lead the country in West Nile," she said. "But we lead the country in rabies, too." ----DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE)

     Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to your county health authority. Don’t let any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to rabies. Depending on the species, it can be observed or tested for rabies in order to avoid the need for rabies treatment. This includes bats with skin contact or found in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, or someone with mental impairment. Bats have small, sharp teeth and in certain circumstances people can be bitten and not know it. --NYS Health Dept. 

     Rabies Clinics - Get Clinic locations and times here: The Monroe County Health Department works closely with municipalities to host rabies clinics for pets belonging to Monroe County residents. Dogs, cats and ferrets can be immunized, but must be at least three months old. Dogs should be leashed; cats and ferrets must be in a pet carrier. Shots are provided at no charge. --from the Monroe County Public Health Department

If you believe you have been exposed to a rabid animal, call your doctor. If you observe an aggressive or menacing animal, call 911.

Rabies Response Help lines

•  Bats play a role in nature, but may also carry rabies.

•  Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system.

•  If you find a bat in your home, DO NOT release it.

•  Immediately contact your local health department for advice on what to do.  Go here for online telephone numbers for Rabies Response Helplines for your county.

Rabies in the Rochester-areaNews & Articles

• Rabies Back in Monroe County - Monroe County Health Officials have confirmed four cases of rabies in the Rochester area this year. Several Pittsford children may have recently been exposed to the disease after bringing home a rabid baby raccoon they found on a golf course in Perinton. A Churchville woman may have also been exposed after fishing a rabid bat out of a pool then trying to nurse it back to health. (July 17, 08) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
• Monroe County Health Department Warns of Rabies Risk ROCHESTER, NY (2008-07-17) The Monroe County Health Department is warning people against taking in wild animals after several people were exposed to rabies. WXXI Public Broadcasting Council
• Media Advisory: State Health Commissioner Demonstrates how to Catch a Bat ALBANY, N.Y. (June 17, 2008) – On Thursday, June 19, at 11:30 a.m. at the state rabies laboratory in Guilderland, State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., and rabies experts will demonstrate how to safely catch a bat found in a home. The demonstration will highlight the importance of capturing a bat that may have come in contact with people or pets. A captured bat can be tested for rabies at the laboratory and people can avoid unnecessary rabies treatment if the bat tests negative for rabies. Many New Yorkers are unsure what to do if they discover a bat in their home. As a result, each year more than 1,400 New Yorkers undergo rabies treatment because the bat they were exposed to was NOT caught and submitted for testing. (July 17, 08) New York State Department of Health
• Health department: Parma dog has rabies - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Monroe County health officials were informed yesterday that a dog from Parma that fought with a rabid raccoon in late April has tested positive for rabies. A total of two dogs were quarantined after coming in contact with the rabid raccoon, and were being monitored by health officials. Last Tuesday, one of the dogs began to show neurological symptoms of rabies, and was euthanized by a veterinarian and tested for rabies by the New York State Health Department. (June 14, 08) - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• Two Parma residents receive shots for possible rabies exposure | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Two Parma residents are receiving treatment for possible rabies exposure after a raccoon tested positive for the disease, the first such case in Monroe County this year, public health officials said Friday. (April 26, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• CDC to Recognize the First World Rabies Day! - WORLD RABIES DAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 Working together to make rabies history! Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State Health Commissioner Urges Rabies Prevention: Observes September 8 as 'World Rabies Day' Albany, N.Y.  The New York State Health Department today joined public health leaders worldwide in an effort to eliminate the fatal disease of rabies by observing September 8 as World Rabies Day. "Rabies is a viral disease that leads to a brain infection and death in almost all cases," said State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. "While New York has not seen a human rabies case since 2000, more than 3,000 individuals received treatment for exposure to rabies last year." There were 612 reports of rabid animals in New York last year. (Sept. 7, 2007) - New York State Department of Health
• Press Advisory: State Health Commissioner Participates in Annual Effort to Fight Raccoon Rabies Albany, N.Y. (Aug 17, 2007) - New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., will participate in the annual state rabies bait drop on Monday, August 20 over northeastern New York from a state helicopter to fight the northward spread of raccoon rabies in New York and Canada. This year's annual rabies bait drop mission is targeting eastern Essex and Clinton counties to reduce the chance of human and domestic animal contact with rabid raccoons. Rabies is a fatal disease. (August 18, 07) --New York State Department of Health
• State Health Department Issues Precaution for New Yorkers to Help Avoid Potential Exposure to Rabies from Wildlife To help protect New Yorkers from the potential exposure to rabies from wildlife, the State Health Department today reminded the public to avoid handling wild animals. The practice of picking up wild animals, particularly offspring, because of their cute and cuddly appearance, often requires unnecessary rabies post exposure treatment for people. Individuals who touch wild animals may have to undergo a month-long series of rabies shots if they are bitten, scratched or had contact with the saliva or nervous tissue of a potentially infected animal, unless it can be euthanized and tested to rule out rabies. Rabies is a fatal disease unless post exposure treatment is given before symptoms occur. (May 31, 2006) - New York State Department of Health
•  State Health Department Reminds New Yorkers to Take Precautions to Protect Themselves, Pets from Rabies ALBANY, May 13, 2005 – State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H. today reminded New Yorkers to take precautions against rabies by avoiding contact with any wild animals and vaccinating their pets. As part of the State's public awareness efforts, Governor Pataki has proclaimed May as 'Rabies Awareness Month' in New York State. Dr. Novello said "It is important to note that no humans have been confirmed with rabies in New York State over the past five years. However, rabies is a public health issue that we continue to combat in coordination with communities statewide to help better educate New Yorkers about the disease and the precautions they should take to avoid being exposed to rabid animals." New York State Department of Health
•  Rabid Animals Show Up In Neighborhoods Rochester, NY - (09/03/03) - Sources at the Monroe County Health Department said the fox that bit a 5-year-old girl Tuesday tested positive for rabies. (September 4, 2003) WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Officials issue bat warning — Health officials are issuing a warning that people should not handle bats, after 24 people in Monroe County had to receive rabies-prevention shots. The people either found bats in their homes or disposed of dead bats near their property without first calling the Monroe County Health Department, officials said Friday. (August 9, 2003)  Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Bear that killed baby not rabid FALLSBURG — A bear killed a 5-month-old girl Monday, knocking her out of a stroller and carrying her into nearby woods, police said. Ward Stone, state chief wildlife pathologist, said he could not remember a black bear killing a human. (August 20, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Rabid fox suspected in Irondequoit — Irondequoit Animal Control is on the lookout for a potentially rabid fox that attacked at least three people near Titus Avenue Extension over the weekend. Animal Control Supervisor Dick Keppler said a 10-year-old girl was chased Saturday morning by the fox, and a man doing yard work Saturday afternoon felt a tug at his heel and looked down to see a fox biting his shoe.  (June 20, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
•  Possible Rabid Fox In Irondequoit Irondequoit, NY - Irondequoit police and animal control are searching for a fox that may be rabid. Four people came into contact with the animal, and two were bitten by it. The fox was first sighted on Shore Road near the Titus Avenue extension by the Irondequoit Bay on Saturday, when it chased a young girl into her home. Later that evening, a man gardening was bitten in the heel of his boot; the bite didn't break the skin. (June 20, 2002) WOKR13.TV
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Rabid bat causes alert in Ontario County middle school June 7, 2002) — GORHAM -- Ontario County health and school officials have alerted parents that some students at Marcus Whitman Middle School were exposed to rabies when a seventh-grader unknowingly brought a dead bat infected with the disease to school on Monday. (June 7, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
•  Boy Brings Bat With Rabies To School Gorham, NY - A seventh grader from Ontario County thought it would be ''neat'' to bring a dead bat to school to show his friends. What he didn't know was that the bat had rabies, and that that has caused much concern at Marcus Whitman Middle School. (June 7, 2002)  WOKR13.TV
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Rabid raccoons put county on alert — Monroe County officials are concerned after four rabid raccoons were found here in recent months. "There seems to be extra reason to be sure you have your pets immunized," said John Ricci, senior public health educator for Monroe County. (May 21, 2002)  DemocratandChronicle.com
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Hooray, we're No. 2! NY loses rabies title — ALBANY -- After leading the nation in rabies cases for nearly 10 years, New York state fell to second place last year with 821 confirmed cases. Texas, where rabies is now rampant among skunks, claimed first place last year with more than a thousand cases of the disease. New York has dealt with a rabies epidemic since 1990, when large numbers of raccoons across the Northeast began contracting the disease. At the height of the epidemic in 1993, the state had more than 27-hundred cases. (April 15, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
•  Town residents alerted to rabies' protection As warmer weather approaches, animal control officers issue some do's and don'ts.
  A Greece man's recent exposure to rabies serves as a reminder to town residents that they need to be careful around wild animals, according to Pete Braggins, Greece animal control officer. (April 11, 2002) Greece Post
• County Warns of Rabid Animals PDF Link: Rabies attacks Fox Cat Bats 2001.pdf --(Wednesday, August 15, 2001) --from Jack Doyle, Monroe County Executive
•  Rabies infections cause concern -- Monroe County health officials are asking residents to stay clear of any stray or wild animals after several people and two cats were attacked by a rabid fox last week. The fox was killed and tested after it bit two people and confronted two others, exposing them to its saliva. (Wednesday, August 15, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
• Rabid Animals Spotted In Perinton And Greece  Rochester, NY - The Monroe County Health Department is warning people to be cautious of animals with rabies. The Health Department says a rabid fox viciously attacked several people in Perinton, and two stray cats were found with rabies--one in Perinton and one in Greece; both incidents occurred last week.  (Tuesday, August 14, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
•  6 treated for rabies in Newark NEWARK (Friday, May 11, 2001) -- Three children and three adults are undergoing rabies treatments following two separate fox attacks in this Wayne County village. (Friday, May 11, 2001) --DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
•  Raccoon That Bit Pittsford Woman Was Rabid Pittsford, NY - A raccoon that bit a Pittsford woman outside her home last weekend tested positive for rabies. The raccoon bit the woman through a boot Sunday on Sutherland Street. The bite was not severe. The Health Department said they have treated everyone they believe was in contact with the raccoon. Health Department regulations required the animal to be destroyed. (January 26, 2001) RochesterToday
•  Air War Against Rabies  Officials are trying to vaccinate wild raccoons. (November 7, 2000) WROCTV
•  Rabid Fox In Pittsford There is another warning about the dangers of wild animals. (August 9, 2000) RochesterToday
•  Bat Control May Backfire--Rabies.com
•  The Epidemiology Of Bat Rabies In The USA
•  Why bats you ask?
•  Catch the bat, or suffer the painful consequences--The Times Herald Record Online

Rabies Resources Online

•  Rabies Laboratory at the Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health The Rabies Laboratory of the Division of Infectious Diseases provides rabies-related laboratory services to all of New York State. It is located at the Wadsworth Center's Griffin Laboratory facility in the Albany suburb of Guilderland. The laboratory's primary service functions are the diagnosis of rabies in animals and the detection and quantification of rabies antibody in human serum.

• Rabies Fact Sheet --from the New York State Department of Health. 

• Home | CDC Rabies Working together to make rabies history! --from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Animal Bites and Rabies Rabies is a widespread, viral infection of warm-blooded animals. Caused by a virus in the Rhabdoviridae family, it attacks the nervous system and, once symptoms develop, it is 100 percent fatal in animals. --ViaHealth.com 

• Batcon.org Bats Conservation International-- The mission of Bat Conservation International is to protect and restore bats and their habitats worldwide.  Probably the most comprehensive resource for bat information on the Internet. 

• Welcome to the New York State Department of Health.  Rabies Information, County Contacts "If you have been bitten, scratched or have had contact with the saliva of an animal that you believe is rabid, wash the wound immediately and call your doctor. If your doctor recommends treatment, call your county health agency immediately to determine where you should receive treatment. If there is any chance of exposure to a bat through an inapparent bite, for example, a bat had direct contact with someone, or was in a room with a sleeping individual, unattended child, or with someone with mental impairment, contact your county health agency immediately to discuss the situation. Each county is required by the state to authorize all treatment of individuals who have been exposed to the rabies virus. With this prior authorization, it is likely that you will not have to pay for the cost of treatment. Without prior authorization, you may be responsible for treatment expenses."

•  The Organization for Bat Conservation The Organization for Bat Conservation’s Adopt-A-Bat Program

•  Rabies.com--Dedicated as a resource to help clinicians prevent and treat rabies in the United States of America, to provide clinicians with the resources to help people understand rabies and its prevention, and to increase rabies awareness.

•  RabAvert: What can I do to prevent rabies?

•  Be Smart About Rabies--Source: Ontario Ministry of Health Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

•  BAT Page

•  Raccoons Spread Deadly Disease  Raccoons may be spreading more than rabies.

• The raccoon rabies epidemic reached Monroe County in 1993.  Learn more about rabies prevention (get a listing for Monroe County Health Department MUNICIPAL RABIES CLINICS 1999) and more Monroe County health issues here: Health Topics.