Rabies Control
Responsibilities
The prevention of animal and human rabies cases is a team effort involving responsible pet owners, veterinarians, animal control agencies, law enforcement, and public health practitioners. Environmental Health and the Public Health Laboratory provide screening of human and domestic animal contacts with potentially rabid animals, conducts testing of suspect animals, and directs quarantines of animals.
Bites
Bites or other exposures to wild animals should be reported immediately to Environmental Health. Domestic animal bites should be reported to the local animal control or law enforcement agency for your location.
Prevention
The following preventive measures are recommended:
Every summer, June through August, the Humboldt-Del Norte Veterinary Medical Association sponsors low-cost rabies vaccination clinics at veterinary offices throughout the county.
We recommend that you contact your preferred veterinary office to verify times, dates and costs of vaccinations.
The prevention of animal and human rabies cases is a team effort involving responsible pet owners, veterinarians, animal control agencies, law enforcement, and public health practitioners. Environmental Health and the Public Health Laboratory provide screening of human and domestic animal contacts with potentially rabid animals, conducts testing of suspect animals, and directs quarantines of animals.
Bites
Bites or other exposures to wild animals should be reported immediately to Environmental Health. Domestic animal bites should be reported to the local animal control or law enforcement agency for your location.
Prevention
The following preventive measures are recommended:
- If a bite or direct contact with a bat or other wild animal occurs, immediately wash the affected skin area with soap and water; contact a physician and Environmental Health.
- Avoid contact with wild and stray animals.
- Keep vaccinations current for domestic cats and dogs and keep records.
- Bat proof all building and accessory structures.
- Report animal bites to your county or municipal animal control officer.
- Instruct children to not touch a wild or stray animal and report it to an adult.
- Wash any animal bite immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention.
- Bring pet foods indoors at night to keep skunks, raccoons, opossum, and foxes from becoming uninvited visitors to your home or yard. Do not feed wild animals.
Every summer, June through August, the Humboldt-Del Norte Veterinary Medical Association sponsors low-cost rabies vaccination clinics at veterinary offices throughout the county.
We recommend that you contact your preferred veterinary office to verify times, dates and costs of vaccinations.