Public health officials urge rabies caution - announce participation in First World Rabies Day

主要講述北卡羅來納州之前有不斷的狂犬病案例，但現有狀況已經改善，並提供部分狂犬病知識以供參考。
http://www.cherokeesentinel.com/news/2007/0718/home/049.html

Public health officials urge rabies caution - announce participation in First World Rabies Day


Public health officials say that rabies cases have increased compared to this time last year. As a result, they are urging North Carolinians to be wary of wild or strange animals. They also plan to highlight rabies in North Carolina by participating in the First World Rabies Day this September.

There have been 251 animal rabies cases in North Carolina this year. There were 209 for the same period of time last year. State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Carl Williams says that rabies cases tend to run in cycles.

According to Dr. Williams, the highest numbers of cases occured in 1997 (879 cases) and 2003 (769 cases.) In the years following those high numbers, the cases droppped off but then started to climb again.

"This is just the normal course of events when it comes to rabies," said Dr. Williams. "There really isn't anything unusual going on. We expected to see cases climb again. The important thing for people to know is that they can take steps to protect themselves and their families from rabies." Precautions include: • Vaccinate pets.

• Don't try to rescue, pet or touch wild animals.

• Avoid physical contact with unfamiliar dogs and cats.

• Do not sleep in a cabin, tent or shelter if bats are present.

Any mammal can get rabies, but raccoons are the most common carrier in North Carolina. The disease can occur at any time of year, although humans are most likely to be exposed in the warm months when they are outside more often. Earlier this week, two Cleveland County children were attacked by a rabid fox while playing outside.

"Luckily, there hasn't been a human rabies case in North Carolina since 1953," said Dr. Williams.

"Vaccinating pets is a public health success story. But, still many people just aren't aware of the disease. I've seen wonderful dogs and cats desroyed because their owners hadn't vaccinated them against rabies. There really is no excuse for not vaccinating your pet.

Dr. Williams is trying to boost awareness of the disease by joining in the first World Rabies Day on September 8th. His office is working to arrange rabies clinics on that day across the state.

More information on rabies in North Carolina, including county-by-county data, is available on the web at www.rabies.ncdhhs.gov.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Kim McClain or Sara Smith at Cherokee County Environmental Health at 835-3853.