by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know September 28, 2026 is World Rabies Day? This date was chosen because it marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death who was the creator of the first effective rabies vaccine. The purpose of this designated awareness day is to show that rabies elimination is only possible through the collaboration of human, animal and environmental health systems in an effort to expand vaccinations, improve surveillance and public education.
Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system causing severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal through bites and scratches or direct contact to open wounds to another animal or human.
The rabies virus is both 100% fatal and 100% preventable. It is noted for having the highest fatality rate of any infectious disease. Once clinical signs appear it is too late. Interestingly, an animal can only transmit this virus during the last 10 days of its life when the virus is active in the saliva. Our Health Department mandates a 10 day quarantine period following a bite or scratch from any animal. If the animal can be confined, it is observed during these 10 days. If it is well after those 10 days, the person is in the clear. If it begins to show signs of illness or if the animal is not able to be safely confined for observation, it is humanely euthanized and its brain is tested at a laboratory. If it tests positive for rabies the victim is notified and post exposure rabies vaccinations are initiated. Lastly, if the animal cannot be caught, it is considered rabid and the person must undergo the series of vaccinations.
Unfortunately, many animals lose their lives to tests for rabies which end up negative. But there is no way to tell without testing the brain. This is why keeping our pets up to date on this vaccination is critically important. It protects the pet should it have an altercation with wildlife, predominately bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes and it protects its life should the pet bite a person in times of stress, fear, aggression or injury.
The incubation period for the rabies disease is around one to three months but can range from a few days to even up to a year. It is vitally important to either catch the animal safely or know where it lives in the case of a dog. If you find a bat in the house, try to contain it for testing. Otherwise, assume you have been bitten as bat bites can go unnoticed. Always immediately wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes to eliminate some of the virus. All local emergency rooms are required to report animal bites to the Health Department who will then notify the owners of the offending pet for rabies vaccination status and for quarantine information or recommend Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) begin immediately. Prevention is always better than the cure!
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Adoption applications are available at wvhumane.org or call 845-986-2473 for more information.
