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Rabid Wild Cats in Peekskill Alert.
Posted on Wednesday, February 19 @ 17:41:12 EST by jfbailey
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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Health. February 19, 2003: A rabid wild cat found in Peekskill fed by residents along with other wild cats has been tested and found rabid, prompting a rabies warning to anyone who has fed this band of cats. The county strongly warns persons not to touch these cats or any wild cats for that matter. WPCNR on our own suggests not allowing your cats outside in the Peekskill area. The release follows giving particulars of where these cats were found.
The Westchester County Department of Health today issued a Rabies Alert to residents of Peekskill who may have had contact with an outdoor cat in the vicinity of Woodale Avenue in Peekskill. The cat tested positive for rabies and was euthanized on February 15. It is described as a male, longhaired, orange and white cat named, "Bella" and was part of a colony of stray cats in the neighborhood of Woodale Avenue that was fed by residents.
Other members of this colony may also be rabid. It is imperative that residents avoid contact with any of these animals.
"Anyone who believes that they, or their pet, may have had contact with this cat, or others in the neighborhood, should contact the Westchester County Department of Health immediately at (914) 813-5000 to assess their need for life saving rabies treatment," stated Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H., Westchester County Commissioner of Health.
Dr. Lipsman warns that anyone bitten by a rabid animal or having contact with its saliva may need to receive immediate post-exposure rabies treatment.
"When administered early enough, before symptoms develop, the
treatment is 100% effective," he said. "However, once symptoms occur, in humans or animals, the disease is fatal", he added.
"It is imperative for pet owners to immunize their animals against rabies and to ensure that these vaccinations are kept up to date," said Dr. Lipsman. "Previously vaccinated domestic animals such as dogs,
cats, and ferrets, that have experienced contact with this cat require a
booster vaccination within five days of exposure. Such incidents must be immediately reported to the health department," he continued. "If residents have questions, they should call us at (914) 813-5000.
Dr. Lipsman added, "A change in an animal's behavior is the
first sign of rabies. A rabid animal may become either abnormally
aggressive or unusually tame. It may lose fear of people and become excited and irritable, or, conversely appear particularly friendly and affectionate.
Staggering and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noted. Adults should encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they have been bitten or scratched by an animal and to refrain from touching unfamiliar animals."
All animal bites or contacts with animals suspected of having
rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, 24 hours a day. For more information about rabies and its prevention, residents can also call the RABIES HOTLINE at (914) 813-5010 or visit the Health Department's Website at
www.westchestergov.com/health.
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