The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has reported 27 rabies cases in animals so far this year; 15 were skunks, 11 were bats, and one was a dog. Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and nerves in humans and other mammals. ADH is reminding Arkansans to know the signs of rabies in animals and what to do if they are bitten by an animal.
Rabies can be contracted through a bite or saliva from an infected animal. In Arkansas, the animals that most often carry rabies are skunks and bats, but any mammal can become infected by one of these species. Animals do not have to be aggressive or behaving erratically to have rabies. Changes in any animal’s normal behavior can be early signs of rabies.
Report abnormal animal behavior to animal control or law enforcement. If it can be done safely, capture or confine the animal, or identify it before it runs away. Do not try to pick the animal up. Depending on the species, an animal can be observed or tested for rabies in order to avoid the need for rabies treatment. A potential rabies exposure should never be taken lightly. If untreated, rabies is fatal.
The human rabies vaccine, administered after a possible exposure, is highly effective at preventing the progression to rabies disease. However, once an infected person develops symptoms of rabies, there is no effective treatment, and the infected person will most likely die. Timely reporting of animal bites allows public health experts to offer recommendations on the need for rabies vaccination.
Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the nearest ADH Local Health Unit. A listing of units can be found at www.healthy.arkansas.gov. For questions about rabies or animal bites, email the ADH Zoonotic Disease Section at adh.zoonotic@arkansas.gov, or call (501) 280-4136.