Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and nervous system. People and pets can get rabies from the bite of an animal with rabies. It is also possible, but rare, that people or pets may get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth or a wound. Rabies is found mostly in wildlife, such as bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes. Pets can get rabies from infected wildlife. Unvaccinated dogs and cats pose the greatest risk in spreading the disease from wildlife to people. There is still no cure for rabies once symptoms develop, but the disease can be stopped in people if a series of rabies immunizations are given soon after exposure to the virus. Untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in animals and people.
Summit County Public Health can help if you believe you or your pet has been bitten by an infected animal. It's extremely important to seek medical care right away after a bite. Our trained Environmental Health Specialists (EHS) can help guide you on the next steps to get the help you need.
What to do if you're bitten:
- Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and running water.
- DO NOT DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE. Go to your family doctor or the nearest emergency room. Call Summit County Public Health (SCPH) at (330) 926-5600 for advice.
- If the animal is retained, call SCPH to determine what the next steps/options are. Take care to prevent additional bites.
- If the animal that bite you has an owner, obtain as much information on the pet owner as you can such as owner’s name, address, telephone number and rabies vaccination status for the pet.
- If an animal must be killed, do not damage the head. Rabies testing is done on the brain.
- When moving a dead animal, wear gloves and use a shovel. Put the animal’s body in a heavy duty plastic bag and place in a protected area away from people and other animals. If necessary, a dead animal may be kept overnight on ice or in a refrigerator until it can be picked up for testing. Do not freeze. Clean the area and tools with one part bleach to 10 parts water.
Report the bite to SCPH by Calling (330) 926-5600
Complete as much of the Animal Bite/ Exposure Reporting Form as possible and fax to (330) 923-6436 or email to rabies@schd.org within 24 hours.
page updated 08-02-2024