Buncombe County Health Department shares advice about rabies exposure

Press release from Buncombe County Health & Human Services:

Rabies is Real! Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones.

Buncombe County, N.C. – After recent reports of people being bitten by wild animals, Buncombe County Health and Human Services wants to remind the pubic that wild animals can carry rabies, which is a dangerous virus that anyone can get if they handle or get bitten by an animal that has the disease.

The rabies virus is spread through salvia and infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. Any mammal can carry rabies but the main animals that get rabies include raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to avoid contact with wild animals. Do not feed or handle them, even if they seem friendly. If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to Animal Control. It’s also important that parents tell their children to never go near a wild animal.

Rabid animals are unpredictable, aggressive, and can attack people and other animals.  Sue Ellen Morrison, Lead Communicable Disease Nurse with BCHHS, urges the public to be aware. “Being attacked by a rabid animal is not only scary but it can cause extensive injury, rabies infection, require post exposure shots, missed time at work or school, medical expenses, and death if not treated,” she says.

Symptoms of rabies might not show up for months, but it is important to receive proper care very soon after a bite or other exposure. Rabies “post-exposure vaccines” can prevent the transmission of the rabies disease if administered within 72 hours. Without these vaccines the outcome of a person bitten by an animal with rabies is death, usually within just a few days after symptoms develop.

Family pets and other domestic animals can get rabies if they are bitten by rabid wild animals. When rabies from wild animals “spills over” into domestic animals, the risk to people is increased because of our close contact with pets. To help reduce the risk of your pet getting rabies, make sure that their vaccinations are up to date, keep pet food and water indoors to avoid attracting wild animals, and do not let pets roam freely.
Take Action If You Are Bitten
If you or someone in your family is exposed to a rabid animal, rabies can be prevented through a series of shots called rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).  If you are bitten by anyanimal, follow these steps:

1. Immediately wash the wound well with soap and water and see a healthcare provider or go to the Emergency Department of your local hospital.
2. Contact Animal Control if you or your pet is bitten, to assist in capturing the animal for observation and/or rabies testing.  Any medical provider who cares for someone who has been bitten by an animal must report the animal bite within 24 hours. The animal bite report form is available on our website at www.buncombecounty.org – under the “I Want to Report” section at the top of the homepage. If the animal is caught and tested and does not have rabies, you will not need to have post-exposure shots.

Animal Control phone numbers:

•  Asheville City limits – Asheville Police 252-1110
• Buncombe County – Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office 250-6670
• For rabies issues in Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville and Woodfin, call Buncombe County Department of Health 250-5038.

3.     Contact your local health department with questions about rabies exposure.  A trained disease control nurse can talk about your exposure with you and help you decide if rabies vaccines are needed.  BCHHS Communicable Disease program can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (828) 250-5109.