Beware of Strays With Rabies

They may be fuzzy, cute and cuddly, but unvaccinated kittens can be dangerous, if not deadly. Such was the case last week when some kittens were left on the campus of Tuskegee University.

The exposure threat initially surfaced after a member of the Tuskegee University Marching Band found a litter of six kittens on campus and took four of them to the Lee County Humane Society. That shelter could not accept the animals because they originated in Macon County, which is outside the shelter’s jurisdiction.

The band member then took the kittens to a local Lee County veterinary clinic, where one kitten was found to have rabies.

When the administration learned about the kittens, the following message was emailed to the entire student body:

“Tuskegee University has learned of a public health risk among our students. Kittens that were abandoned on campus about two weeks ago have tested positive for rabies.

It is believed these kittens are part of a litter that Alabama health officials and the Lee County Humane Society identified in Auburn.

“Students who have interacted with the kittens in any way on campus are being asked to notify Student Health immediately. Email burnett@tuskegee.edu for instructions.

If students have interacted with these kittens, they will need to be tested and evaluated for rabies exposure. The university will provide transportation for treatment as necessary.

The university has a no-animal policy on campus and signs are posted throughout the campus.  The university has a no-animal policy on campus and signs are posted throughout the campus. If you see an animal on campus, do not touch or capture it. Please call animal control at (334) 727-0200.”

The Alabama Department of Public Health subsequently reported that public health authorities had identified information for the India Idual who had a kitten from the same litter as the kitten that tested positive for rabies.

Additionally, measures were being taken to evaluate the littermate for rabies, and any potential human exposure would be followed up on, ADPH said.

Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be current with rabies vaccination. Although there are animal rabies vaccines that last for one year or three years, the first rabies vaccination is only good for one year, regardless of which vaccine a pet receives.

Vaccinating animals reduces the risk of rabies infection should an exposure occur; thus, vaccinations help protect animals, as well as their owners and caretakers.

For more information about rabies and prevention, please contact ADPH at (334) 206-5969 or visit ADPH Infectious Diseases. 

The Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention published these rabies warnings: Measures to reduce rabies exposures among humans by promotion of responsible pet ownership and routine vaccination of cats remain public health priorities.

·         Children should be taught to be cautious in their interactions with animals, especially those that are unfamiliar, to avoid potential exposures to rabies and other infectious diseases.  

·         First aid for animal bites and scratches should include thorough washing with soap and water.

·         An apparently healthy dog, cat or ferret that bites a person should be confined and observed daily for 10 days. If the animal becomes ill or dies during this observation period, its brain should be examined by a state laboratory for evidence of rabies virus infection. If rabies is detected, prompt administration of PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is indicated. The word “prophylaxis” means to prevent or control the spread of an infection or disease.

·          If the animal is unavailable for testing, public health officials should be consulted.

Patricia K. Brown, a pet owner and animal lover, said she made the mistake — after feeding a puny, pathetic stray cat — of attempting to touch him in some way.

The cat turned on her. He scratched and bit her which left her bleeding. The cat died, and Patricia headed to the Emergency Room.

She offers this advice/information:

“If you are bitten and the skin’s broken, get yourself to the hospital immediately. Rabies can kill you!

“You receive two shots at the hospital, then you have to get one shot a week for five weeks. Shots are given either in your arm, stomach or buttocks. Those shots hurt and you have to sit for at least 15 minutes to make sure you don’t have a reaction.”

The shots might hurt, but the alternative is death.