Rabid Cat Confirmed in Bethlehem

From Bethlehem Health Bureau: A cat found in the area of Luna Street on the North side of the City of Bethlehem tested positive for rabies, the Bethlehem Health Bureau has confirmed.

On June 15, 2015, a stray cat bit a citizen who had been feeding it. The stray cat was one of several living in this area being fed by the citizen. The Bethlehem Health Bureau is urging citizens to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from exposures to and injuries from wild and domesticated animals.

“I strongly recommend that citizens never feed wildlife, stray or feral cats, or stray dogs, or attempt to handle any animal that is not their own,” said Bethlehem Health Director, Kristen Wenrich. All sick or injured animals should be reported to the local police department or animal control officer.

Anyone with a pet that may have come in contact with the rabid cat should contact a veterinarian for information about how to protect their animal, as well as family members. Pet owners are encouraged to keep dogs and cats up to date on rabies vaccine-per Pennsylvania law, all domesticated dogs and cats over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies.

Anyone who is bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed to an animal should seek prompt medical care. By law, all medical care providers must report these cases to the local health department for investigation.

For more information regarding rabies, please visit http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/health/animal/management.html or call the Bethlehem Health Bureau at 610-865-7083.

Bethlehem Warns About Bats

From Bethlehem Health Bureau: On April 3, 2015, several children handled a live bat at Higbee Park in Bethlehem before it died.  The bat was then transported to the PA Bureau of Laboratories for rabies testing, but was unable to be tested due to the bodily damage it sustained.  

 

While several of the children who handled the bat have been identified, there may be others that need to be located, as they must be evaluated for treatment of possible rabies exposure.  An exposure to rabies can be fatal for a human or other mammals, such as dogs and cats.  “I urge all parents whose children may have played at Higbee Park on April 3^rd, to determine if their child had any contact with the bat, and if so, to contact the Bethlehem Health Bureau immediately,” said Bethlehem Health Director, Kristen Wenrich. 

 

It is recommended that citizens never attempt to handle a wild or domesticated animal that is not their own, as a health and safety precaution.  All sick or injured animals should be reported to the local police department or animal control officer.  

 

Pet owners are encouraged to keep dogs and cats up to date on rabies vaccine-per Pennsylvania law, all domesticated dogs and cats over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies.  Do not feed wildlife, stray or feral cats, or stray dogs.  

 

Anyone who is bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed to an animal should seek prompt medical care.  By law, all medical care providers must report these cases to the local health department for investigation.  

 

To report an actual or potential exposure to a wild or domesticated animal, please call the Bethlehem Health Bureau at 610-865-7083.

 

Health Bureau: Watch For Rabid Animals and .... Bottom-Feeding Bloggers

If your husband looks like this, he has rabies. Shoot him. 

It's that time of the year again. With the warmer weather, we are spending more and more time outside, coming into contact with pets, wild animals or worse ... bottom-feeding bloggers. In the wake of news about two dudes who were attacked by a sexy fox on Bethlehem's west side, the Health Bureau has issued some helpful hints. You see, this fox had rabies, and even condoms won't help.

1) No matter how sexy, never, ever, not ever attempt to handle a wild or domesticated animal or fox or blogger that is not your own.

2) All sick or injured animals should be reported to the police department or animal control officer by calling 610-997-7641. No matter how healthy a blogger might look, call the cops.

3) When interacting with a domesticated animal, such as a dog or cat, always ask the pet owner’s permission first and approach the animal cautiously. Watch out for this little trick.

Clouseau: Does your dog bite?
Hotel Clerk: No.
Clouseau: [bowing down to pet the dog] Nice doggie.
[Dog barks and bites Clouseau in the hand]
Clouseau: I thought you said your dog did not bite!
Hotel Clerk: That is not my dog.

4) Infants and children should never be left unattended with an animal, unless you are married to it.

5) Pet owners should keep dogs and cats up to date on rabies vaccine. Per Pennsylvania law, all domesticated dogs and cats over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies. Legislation is pending for bloggers, and is expected to pass unanimously.

6) Do not feed wildlife, stray or feral cats or stray dogs. But you should give bloggers money. No small bills, or we'll bite. Hard.

7) Anyone who is bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to an animal should seek prompt medical care. By law, all medical care providers must report these cases to the local health department for investigation. If it's a blogger, just call an undertaker.

Last year, the Bethlehem Health Bureau investigated 161 reported cases of animal-to- human exposures in the City. The bureau provides animal safety presentations to schools and other community groups. To schedule a presentation, call 610-865-7087.

Next week, they'll be issuing their annual zombie warning.