Alabama Health Officials Planning Rabies Awareness Week
The Alabama Department of Public Health is reminding residents of the dangers of rabies and how to prevent bites from potentially infected animals.
Officials say next week is rabies and dog rite awareness week and the department is reminding Alabamians state law requires dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies.
Health officials say rabies can be fatal in pets and humans, and the leading means of exposure is through a bite or scratch that is contaminated with an infected animal’s saliva. Officials say the disease can also be contracted if contaminated saliva contacts mucous membranes of the eyes or mouth.
Alabama Public Health Veterinarian Dee W. Jones said in a statement that rabies is on the rise and spreading in many parts of the state, particularly in raccoons. (Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
