Rabies Control

Yes and no. Rabies is a fatal disease for which there is no cure and rabid wild animals are discovered in Montgomery County nearly every year (3 bats in 2013, 0 in 2014, 2 bats in 2015, 0 in 2016). But rabies is preventable through vaccination of pets, quarantining and/or testing of bite animals and post-exposure shots for bite victims when necessary. These control measures have been very successful: there have been no human or domestic animal rabies cases in Montgomery County for many years.

Yes. To protect the public health, state law requires that all potential rabies exposures need to be monitored by the local health authority.

It should still be reported. The rabies virus can be spread if the animal’s saliva enters any wound with broken skin, so animal scratches are treated as potential rabies exposures.

Yes. If the bat had access to a room where someone was sleeping, the bat should be tested for rabies.

Quarantining an animal ensures that it is available to be observed for signs of rabies 10 days after the bite. It also helps limit additional exposure events until the health status is known.

The rabies virus does not enter the salivary glands of an infected dog or cat until the very last stages of the disease. If the animal is healthy 10 days beyond the date of the bite, it could not have passed on rabies through its saliva to the bite victim.

The animal is confined to limit contact with other animals or humans. This can be done at the home in the case of a family pet, at a veterinary clinic or an animal shelter. The animal may not be relocated without permission of the Health Commissioner.

Yes, but it must be confined within a fenced area or under your direct supervision to prevent contact with other animals or humans.

Then a tissue sample from the animal is submitted to the state lab where it is examined for signs of the disease.

Then the victim will be notified so that he or she can get the post-exposure rabies shots.

You must allow the animal to be observed by Public Health staff, and provide proof of current rabies vaccination.

No. A pet license is not required for release from quarantine.

You will need to get your pet revaccinated by a veterinary clinic registered with Public Health (but only after the quarantine period is passed and the pet has been observed by Public Health staff.)

Yes. These tags help confirm that your vet is registered locally.

Yes. Local regulations require that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated for rabies.