Oneida County health department issues animal bite warning

Since May 1, the Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) has conducted more than 30 animal bite or potential exposure investigations, the agency reported in a press release issued late last week.

 Under state statute 95.21, “Rabies control program,” the department is required to prevent and control the spread of the rabies virus, the release said. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system that is spread from mammals to mammals, typically through a bite. Rabies is considered fatal if contracted and symptoms appear. Earlier this month, the Shawano-Menominee counties health department reported a bat tested positive for rabies. Symptoms include: irritability, headache, fever, double vision, itching or pain where the bit occurred. Later symptoms include: spasms of the throat, convulsions, delirium, paralysis and death.

The health department is asking for the public’s help to keep people and pets safe from animal bites:

• Keep your pets current on rabies vaccinations. 

• Leave handling of animals to professionals; contact Wild Instincts or Northwoods Wildlife Center for wild animals that may need help; contact the Oneida County Humane Society for domestic pets that may need help. 

• Teach children not to approach unfamiliar animals.

• Never leave a young child alone with a pet.

If you are bitten or scratched:

• Clean the wound with lots of soap and water. 

• Report the bite to law enforcement.

• Contact your doctor or go to your local emergency room.

• If the animal has been, or can safely be captured, hold onto the animal until OCHD can be consulted. 

For more information, visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/rabies/index.htm or https://datcp.wi.gov./Documents/RabiesBites.pdf.