Niagara County Department of Health reports rabid kitten in Town of Cambria

Submitted by the Niagara County Department of Health

The Niagara County Department of Health confirmed a case of rabies in a kitten on Aug. 21. The kitten was located on Saunders Settlement Road between Diller Road and Fairview Drive in the Town of Cambria. The kitten displayed aggressive biting and scratching behavior and was examined by an Erie County veterinarian on Aug. 14.

Due to signs of a potential neurological disorder, the decision was made to euthanize the kitten for rabies testing on Aug. 15.

NCDOH submitted the animal for testing to the NYSDOH Wadsworth Center, Griffin Laboratories, on Aug. 20 and received confirmation of the positive result on Aug. 21.

Throughout the investigation, the NCDOH identified several individuals who had direct physical contact with the animal for possible post-exposure rabies vaccination. Exposures occurred in the residence and at the veterinarian’s office. All exposed individuals have started post-exposure rabies prophylaxis.

This case serves as an important reminder that even seemingly harmless domestic animals can contract rabies from contact with infected wildlife. Bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes are all common wildlife carriers of the rabies virus. A rabid animal can shed the virus through direct contact even before symptoms appear. Rabies can only be confirmed by submitting a laboratory sample.

Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in Niagara County. Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal to unvaccinated animals.

The NCDOH reminds county residents of the following precautions to prevent exposure to rabies from wildlife and domestic animals:

•Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or feral cats.

•Be sure your dogs and cats are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Vaccinated pets serve as a crucial buffer between rabid wildlife and humans, significantly reducing your risk of exposure. Dogs and cats that receive their first rabies vaccine are protected for one year. A dog or cat’s second and subsequent vaccinations will protect it from rabies for up to three years. Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors. By law, all cats, dogs and ferrets must have current rabies vaccinations from 4 months of age and on.

The Niagara County Department of Health conducts free rabies clinics. Dates are posted on our website as clinics are scheduled.

•Keep family pets indoors at night. Do not leave them outside unattended, or let them roam free.

•Don’t attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed, pet food or other attractants. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cover or put away garbage cans. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap your chimney with screens.

•Encourage children to immediately tell adults if they are bitten by any animals. Tell children not to touch any animals they do not know.

•If a wild animal is on your property, let it wander away. Bring children and pets indoors and alert neighbors who are outside. You may contact a nuisance wildlife control officer who will remove the animal for a fee, or if there is danger, you can call your local law enforcement agency.

•If your pet has been in a fight with another animal, wear gloves to handle it. Isolate it from other animals and people for several hours. Call your veterinarian. Your vaccinated pet will need a booster dose of rabies vaccine within five days of the exposure. Unvaccinated animals exposed to a known or suspected rabid animal must be confined for six months or humanely euthanized.

For further information on rabies or to report an animal bite or contact with wild animals, please call the Niagara County Department of Health environmental division at 716-439-7444 or visit www.niagaracounty.gov/health.