Man bitten by rabid cat, getting treatment
Published in the Ocean County Observer 5/18/04
By DON BENNETT
Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- An employee of a business in the Manchester Township area is undergoing a painful series of rabies shots after being bitten by a rabid stray cat.
Without the shots, the worker could die, according to Dr. Ella Boyd of the Ocean County Health Department.
Her advice is to leave stray animals alone and take other steps to avoid contact with them.
Five animals, including the cat, have already tested positive for rabies this year in Ocean County. Last year there were 20, including a cat. Raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats can also carry the disease.
"It is important to get your family pets vaccinated for rabies," Boyd said.
Other steps to take to avoid contact with rabid animals include:
Animal-proofing the house and yard.
Keeping garbage stored in animal-resistant containers.
Screening attic vents and other areas where bats might seek shelter.
If bitten, Boyd advised getting as much information as possible about the animal and reporting it to an animal control officer or police.
Wash the wound with soap and water.
Call a doctor.
Report the contact to the health department at (732) 341-9700, ext. 7502.
from the Ocean County Observer
Published on May 18, 2004
Published in the Ocean County Observer 5/18/04
By DON BENNETT
Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- An employee of a business in the Manchester Township area is undergoing a painful series of rabies shots after being bitten by a rabid stray cat.
Without the shots, the worker could die, according to Dr. Ella Boyd of the Ocean County Health Department.
Her advice is to leave stray animals alone and take other steps to avoid contact with them.
Five animals, including the cat, have already tested positive for rabies this year in Ocean County. Last year there were 20, including a cat. Raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats can also carry the disease.
"It is important to get your family pets vaccinated for rabies," Boyd said.
Other steps to take to avoid contact with rabid animals include:
Animal-proofing the house and yard.
Keeping garbage stored in animal-resistant containers.
Screening attic vents and other areas where bats might seek shelter.
If bitten, Boyd advised getting as much information as possible about the animal and reporting it to an animal control officer or police.
Wash the wound with soap and water.
Call a doctor.
Report the contact to the health department at (732) 341-9700, ext. 7502.
from the Ocean County Observer
Published on May 18, 2004