Rabies is a viral disease that is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal, however, humans or animals can also be exposed to rabies when they are scratched or exposed to the saliva of an infected animal. Animals commonly associated with rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks, opossums, foxes, dogs, and cats.

If you believe you have been exposed to rabies, contact your healthcare provider immediately. If the animal can be captured or located it can be quarantined for ten days and the health department will check for the animal for symptoms of rabies at the end of the quarantine period. If the animal is obviously ill or dies after the exposure, it needs to be tested for rabies as soon as possible. If you wish to have an animal tested, wild or domestic, contact our agency for further instructions.