As spring arrives, the Barry Eaton District Health Department reminds residents that some wild animals may carry rabies, the most common are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes.

Any mammal can get rabies. Although less common, cats, cattle, and dogs can also carry rabies.

Now, largely because of the routine vaccination of pets against rabies and advancements in medicine, human deaths due to rabies are very rare. The disease is 100 percent preventable, but it is fatal to both humans and animals once symptoms start.

Deaths due to rabies are mostly due to not seeking medical attention while not experiencing symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an estimated 40,000 people in the United States receive rabies post-exposure treatment each year.

Transmission from bats is the most common cause of rabies in the U.S., so it is important to contact your health care provider for treatment if any possible exposure to a bat occurred. Bats have very small teeth, and a bite from a bat may not be felt. Any direct contact with a bat means a possible exposure to rabies. If possible, capture the bat so it can be tested for rabies.

 If you think you’ve been exposed to a bat, contact the health department at (517) 541-2641 in Eaton County or (269) 798-4152 in Barry County to receive further assistance on steps to follow. The  website also contains information, including a video on how to safely capture a bat: https://www.barryeatonhealth.org/bats-ticks-mosquitoes-and-animal-bites.

Rabies can also be prevented by vaccinating pets. Michigan law requires that all dogs must have a current rabies vaccination. In addition, it is recommended that all cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Along with the statewide rabies vaccination law for dogs, all dogs must have a current Michigan dog license. Some cities also have laws on licensing dogs and cats; check with the city government for these requirements.

*Barry County Animal Control provides one or three year dog licenses, based on the rabies vaccination. Visit http://bcshelter.tripod.com/dog-licensing-2.html or call (269) 948-4885 for more information.

*Eaton County Animal Control dog licenses must be renewed each year. More information is available at https://www.eatoncounty.org/departments/animal-control or by calling (517) 543-5755.

Keep all pets under direct supervision while outdoors to prevent contact between your pet and a wild animal that might be unvaccinated. If your pet is bitten, call your veterinarian for further instructions.

For more information , visit https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/ or  www.barryeatonhealth.org or call the health department at the numbers listed above.