Is Your Animal Protected Against Rabies?

Rabid animals are unpredictable, aggressive, and can attack people and other animals.  Symptoms of rabies might not show up for months, but it is important to receive proper care very soon after a bite or other exposure. Rabies “post-exposure vaccines” can prevent the transmission of the rabies disease if administered within 72 hours.

If a person bitten by an animal with rabies does not get the recommended rabies post-exposure treatment, they will die, usually within just a few days after symptoms develop. Family pets and other domestic animals can get rabies if they are bitten by rabid wild animals. When rabies from wild animals "spills over" into domestic animals, the risk to people is increased because of our close contact with pets. =

To help reduce the risk of your pet getting rabies, make sure that their vaccinations are up to date, keep pet food and water indoors to avoid attracting wild animals, and do not let pets roam freely. The next low-cost rabies vaccination clinic is on Saturday, August 26, 2017 from 2 - 5 pm at Hall Fletcher Elementary, 60 Ridgelawn Road, Asheville NC 28806.

Take Action If You Are Bitten

If you or someone in your family is exposed to a rabid animal, rabies can be prevented through a series of shots called rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).  If you are bitten by any animal, follow these steps:

1. Immediately wash the wound well with soap and water for 15 minutes and see a healthcare provider or go to the Emergency Department of your local hospital.  For information on bites, click here.
    
2. Contact Animal Control if you or your pet is bitten, to assist in capturing the animal for observation and/or rabies testing.  Any medical provider who cares for someone who has been bitten by an animal must report the animal bite within 24 hours. The animal bite report form is available on our website at www.buncombecounty.org – under the “I Want to Report” section at the top of the homepage. If the animal is caught and tested and does not have rabies, you will not need to have post-exposure shots. 
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   Animal Control phone numbers: 
   
   Asheville City limits - Asheville Police 252-1110
   Buncombe County – Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office 250-6670
   For rabies issues in Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville and Woodfin, call Buncombe County Department of Health 250-5038.
    
3. Contact your local health department with questions about rabies exposure.  A trained disease control nurse can talk with you about your exposure and help you decide if rabies vaccines are needed.  BCHHS Communicable Disease program can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (828) 250-5109.

For more information on low-cost rabies vaccination clinics, visit: www.ashevillehumane.org/resources/low-cost-vaccine-clinics.