Rabies cases have become very common in North Carolina over the past few years. Rabies is a dangerous type of virus that infects animals if they get bitten by another rabid animal. Both domestic and wild animals are prone to catching rabies, and rabid animals can be dangerous towards humans. The most common animals that contract rabies are foxes, skunks, raccoons, bats, cats, and dogs. People can get rabies if they are bitten by a rabid animal, as the virus is spread through saliva. Rabies in humans can be fatal, which is why it is important to take preventative measures and to avoid potentially rabid animals.
Rabies in North Carolina
Most of the rabies cases in North Carolina have been reported in highly populated areas. Measures are being taken to reduce the amount of wild animals in popular areas in order to reduce the spread of rabies. Domestic animals are often vaccinated for rabies, but surprisingly human rabies cases are caused by domestic animals.
Symptoms of Rabies
Rabies is a deadly virus that only affects animals and humans. It directly targets the nervous system and causes many negative symptoms, including: cerebral dysfunction, paralysis, seizures, difficulty breathing, muscle spasms, and fevers.
Signs of a Rabid Animal
In order to avoid being bitten by a rabid animal, it is important to look out for warning signs before you let an animal get too close. Rabid animals are typically very aggressive and produce a lot more saliva than normal animals. Most rabid animals have difficulty swallowing, which is why there may be excessive drool around a rabid animals mouth. Rabid animals are also prone to paralysis and seizures.
How to Protect Yourself
There is not a treatment for rabies, but below are some preventative measures that you can take in order to protect yourself:
- Take your domestic animals for regular rabies vaccinations.
- Do not try to get involved in fights between your pets because you may get bitten.
- Do not let your children get very close to animals because they may get bitten.
- Make sure your children are aware of the dangerous symptoms of rabies.
- If you see any signs of rabies in an animal, give us a call and we will come and safely remove the rabid animal from your property.
If You Get Bitten by a Rabid Animal…
Unfortunately, if you are bitten by a rabid animal, you will need to act fast. You should wash the bite as quickly as possible and try to clean and cover up the wound. You should then contact a physician immediately and seek further medical assistance. You should also give us a call so that we can come and remove the animal and notify those around you that there is a rabid animal.
Final Thoughts
If you follow the tips in this article, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting rabies. If you suspect that there is a rabid animal on your property, give us a call! We offer 24 hour service, and we have the equipment and training necessary to safely handle rabid animals.
