Date: Fri 12-Apr-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

rabies-Mattegat

Full Text:

Fairfield County Sees A Resurgence Of Rabies

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Last year, a rabid bat attacked a cat and spread rabies in Newtown.

It might sound like a Dr Seuss rhyme, but it is deadly serious because a

second wave of animal rabies is now moving through Fairfield County, according

to George Cooper, a health program assistant with the state.

"Rabies is a fatal disease of warm blooded mammals caused by a virus, most

frequently spread through a bite from an infected animal. Bites are the main

route of transmission because a diseased animal has the rabies virus in its

saliva, and frequently will bite other animals," stated a rabies advisory

notice published by the state Department of Agriculture.

Rabies is seen most often among wild animals such as bats, raccoons, foxes,

and skunks. Cats, dogs, and livestock can also get rabies if they do not have

up to date vaccinations. Of the 27 animals submitted by the Newtown Health

District for testing by the state last year, six came back positive. Those

tested were 5 raccoons, 11 cats, 2 bats, a squirrel, an opossum, a chipmunk, 3

skunks, a shrew, a woodchuck, a fox, and a ferret.

"Prior to 1991, animal rabies in the state of Connecticut was almost unheard

of, other than in bats. In 1991 the raccoon epidemic came into the state - the

first case was in Ridgefield - and completed its sweep across, as of last

year," said Mr Cooper, who works at the state's Department of Public Health,

Bureau of Community Health, infectious diseases division, epidemiology

program. During that time period "there has been at least one positive case of

animal rabies in every town in Connecticut."

Mr Cooper likened the epidemic to a wave hitting the shore - it swells,

breaks, recedes, and then starts to swell again. "Early in 1995 we started to

see a resurgence of cases in Fairfield County," he said. "New London County

had 40 percent of the cases reported and Fairfield County had approximately 35

percent of those reported."

Be wary of wild animals, keep dogs and cats immunized, and prevent wild

animals from making nests in your home, he said. "Our key [advice] is: Admire

wild animals from afar. They're lovely to watch but they don't need to fed and

taken care of - they can take care of themselves."

The symptoms of rabies that might be noticed in a domestic animal include

fever, loss of appetite, excessive irritability, unusual vocalization, change

in behavior, restlessness, jumping at noises, trouble walking, excess

salivation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, stupors or unprovoked aggression.

The state Department of Agriculture advises if your pet begins to show any of

these symptoms to notify the local animal control officer and seek the care

and advice of a veterinarian. It also advises you separate your animal from

other animals and humans immediately.

Protect Your Pet

There are steps you can take to protect your family and pets from being

infected with rabies. First, dogs should not be permitted to roam (there's a

$60 fine if a dog is picked up) - they should either be leashed or under

control, said assistant animal control officer George Mattegat. "If some

people wanted a dog in their yard, they'd go buy one. They don't want their

neighbor's dog in their yard," he said. This will also help prevent your dog

from roaming in the street and being hit by a car, he added.

Secondly, immunize your cats and dogs against rabies and keep the immunization

up to date. This year the rabies clinic will be held in Newtown on Saturday,

May 18 from 1 to 3 pm at Edmond Town Hall Gymnasium. The cost is $9 (cash

only) for each animal. If an animal has been previously vaccinated for rabies,

bring written proof and you will qualify for a three-year certificate; without

it you will receive a one-year certificate.

According to The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, the national

average of rabies in cats is 35 percent higher than in dogs. But in

Connecticut it is now 1,000 percent higher. State law requires all cats and

dogs, three months of age or older to be vaccinated.

And remember to license your dog each year. "It's the law - we do have to

abide by the law," said Town Clerk Cindy Curtis. "But it's a record of the

animal and is for their protection. If the animal gets lost it helps to locate

it a little bit faster. Most importantly you know they've had the rabies

protection, so it's another device for protection for the public as well."

Dogs must be licensed by July 1; a penalty is incurred for each month an owner

delays in applying for a license. If a dog is picked up by Canine Control and

it does not have a license, the owner will receive a $60 fine. The licenses

will be available May 18 at the rabies clinic, and at the town clerk's office

beginning Monday, June 3, and proof of rabies vaccination is required. If a

dog is spayed or neutered and the pet owner shows written proof, the cost of a

one-year license is $6; otherwise it is $16.

Anyone with questions regarding the rabies clinic or dog licensing is

encouraged to call the town clerk's office at 270-4210.

The Rabies Information Hotline number is 860-561-1911.