Oneida County Health Department offers advice on animal bites and rabies

In a press release issued this week, the Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) reported it has conducted more than 40 animal bite/potential exposure investigations since Jan 1. The department is required under state statute 95.21 “Rabies Control Program” to prevent and control the spread of the rabies virus.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is typically transmitted through a bite from an infected animal. Rabies is considered fatal if contracted. So far this year, four bats found in Wisconsin have tested positive for rabies, the release states. The counties involved are St. Croix, Columbia, Richland and Sauk.

Symptoms of rabies include: irritability, headache, fever, double vision, itching or pain at the bite site.

Later symptoms include: spasms of the throat, convulsions, delirium, paralysis and death.

To keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe from animal bites:

• Keep your pets current on rabies vaccinations.

• Leave the handling of unfamiliar animals to the 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 to not 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 be safely captured, hold onto the animal until the health department can be consulted.