rabies

Cape man has rabies; first human case in state in 75 years

adamg — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:45:53 +0000

Channel 4 reports he may have gotten it from one of the bats living in his house; he's in critical condition.

Brookline cat attacked by possibly rabid raccoon

adamg — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:03:04 +0000

The Brookline Health Department is warning residents to stay away from wild animals after a raccoon suspected of having rabies attacked a north Brookline resident's pet in daylight hours - a few weeks after a rabid raccoon was picked up in Jamaica Plain.

Two bats captured in Brookline also recently tested positive for rabies.

Rabid raccoon found in Jamaica Plain

adamg — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:41:11 +0000

Boston Public Health Commission says it was last night on Amory Street. Come in contact with a raccoon near there? Contact your doctor.

Dorchester cat tests positive for rabies; at least six people exposed

adamg — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 21:59:19 +0000

The Boston Public Health Commission reports a cat in the Mascot Street area tested positive for the potentially fatal disease.

In addition to the six people now receiving shots, the commission urges anybody who came into contact with a roughly 10-year-old orange cat there between Oct. 2 and 17 - or whose own pet tangled with the cat - to call 617-534-5611.

Public health officials say the case shows the importance of updating pet rabies shots - and of avoiding contact with wild animals:

Avoid any animal that is acting strange or sick. Do not keep wild animals as pets, touch, or pick up any dead animal. Do not attract wild animals to your house by feeding pets outside or leaving garbage cans open.

For more information about rabies, contact the Infectious Disease Bureau at 617-534-5611.

Rabid raccoon confirmed in Jamaica Plain

adamg — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:28:22 +0000

The Boston Public Health Commmission reports a raccoon found in Jamaica Plain on Sunday has tested positive for rabies and that a person exposed to the animal is now receiving rabies shots.

The commission plans to distribute leaflets in the neighborhood warning residents about the issue and telling them what to do if they think they've come in contact with a rabid animal. Basically: Stay away from wildlife, make sure your pets' vaccinations are up to date, and beware of bats in your house.

Questions? Contact the commission's Infectious Disease Bureau at 617-534-5611.

Did you know a rabid bat could bite you in your sleep and you'd never know until you start to die?

adamg — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:08:43 +0000

Karen Wise explains why her entire family is now getting rabies shots, not that she knows for a fact that the bat that was flying around in her house was rabid, since her husband let it fly out, when, as they now know, you're supposed to trap it somehow and let Animal Control test it for rabies.

Rabid cat captured in West Roxbury

adamg — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:42:47 +0000

Boston Police report a domestic house cat captured on Park Street last weekend was euthanized after it was reported to have rabies.

Click on the link for way more info than you probably want to know about what to do if you think you've been bitten by a rabid animal (go figure: there are an average of 100 rabid cats reported in Massachusetts each year - people, get your pet immunized, will ya?).