Rabies Awareness and Prevention

World Rabies Day reminds us each year how serious rabies can be. This year World Rabies Day will be help on September 28. The purpose is to raise awareness of the rabies disease. More than 55,000 people with most of them being children, die of rabies each year. Asia and Africa have the highest mortality rates, while North America reports less than 10 human cases per year. Rabies is most common in wild animals with raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats being the most frequent carriers.

While rabies in domestic animals is all but extinct, it is still required to have your animals vaccinated against this viral disease. Unvaccinated animals can still be infected if bitten by an affected carrier. If you suspect a rabid animal has taken residence on your property, you should never try to handle the situation yourself. Contact authorities immediately to take care of the diseased animal. Don’t let your dogs or other pets run loose if there is a threat of a wild rabid animal

It is imperative for pet owners vaccinate their animals to fight the rabies disease each year. For more information about rabies and World Rabies Day, please visit www.worldrabiesday.org