Rabid Raccoon in Delaware County; Free Rabies Clinics Announced

A raccoon in the Town of Bovina has tested positive for rabies. The rabid raccoon exposed
one dog that was not up to date on its rabies vaccinations. Public Health is working with
the dog owner and Town of Bovina officials to implement a six-month quarantine on the
dog.

Rabies is endemic to the area. An exposure to rabies can be fatal for a human or a pet.
Vaccination of pets and other animals is the best preventive measure available. Be a
responsible pet owner by keeping your pet’s vaccination s up to date.
Once infected, rabies is a virus that has a 100% fatality rate for mammals, including humans, when left untreated. Public Health recommends the following precautions to protect yourself and your family from possible exposure to rabies:

Report any sick or strange acting wildlife

Vaccinate pets and livestock. New York State law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets
be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age. Vaccinating your domestic animal not
only provides protection for the animal, but vaccinated pets act as a barrier to keep the
rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people.

Vaccination is also recommended for livestock with frequent human contact.
Do not feed wildlife or stray animals and discourage them from seeking food near your
home.

Do not feed strays. According to Public Health Law an owner is defined as any person
keeping, harboring, or having charge or control of or permitting any dog, cat or
domesticated ferret to remain on or be lodged or fed within such person’s house yard
or premises.

Do not approach an unknown animal, either wild or domestic, especially if it is acting in
a strange or unusual manner.

Report all animal bites and any contact with bats to the Health Department in your
county. Human rabies can be prevented after exposure by administering a series of
shots.

Keep garbage cans tightly covered and avoid storing any food outside.

Children should be instructed to tell an adult immediately if they were bitten or
scratched by any animal.

If an unvaccinated pet comes in contact with rabid or suspected rabies the pet must be
quarantined for six months.

Vaccinated pets that come in contact with rabid or suspected rabies animal must be
given a booster rabies vaccination within five days of the contact.

The remaining rabies 2019 rabies clinics are listed below can and can be viewed at
www.delawarecountypublichealth.com

Walton- August 6, 2019 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Walton Highway Garage, 25091 NY-10, Walton,
NY 13856
Roxbury- August 22, 2019 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Roxbury Town Garage, 52508 NY-30, Roxbury,
NY 12474
Tompkins- September 4, 2019 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Highway Garage, 8586 St. Route 206, Trout
Creek, NY
East Branch-September 10, 2019,7PM-8:30PM, East Branch Fire Hall, 29 Bridge St, East Branch,
NY 13756
October Rabies Clinic date and location to be announced

To report a suspected rabid animal call Delaware County Public Health Services at 607-832-5200. For more information call 607-832-5200 or visit our website at
www.delawarecountypublichealth.com
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