September 28th is World Rabies Day and TriCounty Health Department is spreading awareness. In the United States, rabies deaths are very rare due to animal control and vaccination programs as well as ready treatment for those that have contact with a potentially rabid animal. It is because of great interventions in public health that we don’t see rabies commonly, explains Cyndie Mattinson with TriCounty Health Department. This does not mean, however, that the public should be casual about encounters with animals that could have rabies. Mattinson says bats are the most common animal in the state to test positive for rabies and it is important to never touch a bat and to call Central Dispatch or the health department if there has been contact or if the bat is hanging around. Still, this isn’t something to panic about and even if there is a possibility of exposure, Mattinson says it is urgent but not an emergency. If the animal is positive for rabies then there is treatment available. To learn more, visit www.tricountyhealth.com.
