Animal Bites & Rabies
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a serious disease that is caused by a virus. Each year, it kills more than 50,000 people and millions of animals around the world. Any mammal can get rabies. Raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, dogs, and cats can get rabies. Cattle, horses and humans can also get rabies. Animals that are not mammals such as birds, snakes, and fish do not get rabies.
Program Standards
All dogs, cats, and ferrets reported to have bitten any person are quarantined by the Local Health Department for ten (10) days for observation. This is done at either the animal owner’s home or a local animal clinic. Some general signs of rabies in animals are as follows:
– Changes in an animal’s behavior
– General sickness – Problems swallowing
– Increased drooling
– Aggression
Dogs, cats, and ferrets, which stay well during the ten-day period, are released. Those animals which become sick are humanely euthanized and tested in the State Rabies Laboratory. All non-domesticated or “wild animals” must immediately be humanely euthanized and tested in the State Rabies Laboratory. Domesticated farm animals are evaluated on a case by case basis.
*Note: Head of animal must be unaltered in order for laboratory to test. For more updated information visit Center for Disease Control.
What to do in case of an animal bite
Depending on the severity of the bite, call your doctor or go to a hospital emergency room. Take a description of the animal
If possible, without endangering yourself, confine the animal so it can be quarantined.
If euthanized, DO NOT DO ANYTHING WHICH WOULD DAMAGE THE ANIMAL’S HEAD! HEAD MUST BE INTACT FOR TESTING.
Rabies Prevention
Rabies vaccines are approved for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep and ferrets. Proper and up to date vaccination of your pets is the first line of defense against rabies. Animal rabies vaccines should be administered only by, or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.
The WEDCO District Health Department works with local veterinarians and the State Rabies Laboratory in efforts to control rabies. The Local Health Department sponsors a rabies vaccination clinic, which is offered at a low price every year. In Harrison County the rabies clinic is usually in the fall and in Scott County the rabies clinic usually occurs around July 1st. Due to state law, rabies clinics sponsored by local health departments can only charge $5.00 for the rabies vaccination and the rabies vaccination must be a 3 year vaccination. We would like to thank all our local veterinarians for volunteering for the rabies clinics as it has always been a great success.
Environmental Services
Food Program
Our Food Program oversees the inspection and regulation of food establishments, provides food safety education, and enforces state and federal food codes.
Certified inspectors conduct routine inspections and work closely with businesses to ensure compliance with the Kentucky Food Code and FDA Food Code 2013.
Food Scores
We conduct routine inspections of local restaurants, grocery stores, and other food service establishments to ensure safe and sanitary conditions. You can view food scores online.
Animal Bites & Rabies
Nuisance Complaint
Nuisance complaints must be made in person at the local health department during the Environmental Office hours Monday-Friday 8:00am-9:30am. The Record of Complaint and Investigation form must be completed.
Private Water Samples
Private water is not regulated by the EPA, so it is up to the owner to make sure they are using safe drinking water from a private source. For more information: Private Drinking Water Wells | US EPA
Preparedness
Swimming Pools
Hotel & Motels
Hotels and motels are inspected once per year. If the hotel or motel has a swimming pool then the swimming pool is inspected 2 times a year.