Sonoma County public health officials have launched a campaign to remind residents of the importance of vaccinating pet cats and dogs for rabies and to educate people of the dangers of exposure.
Though rare, rabies is always present in the wild, and if contracted almost always results in death in both pets and humans once disease symptoms have appeared.
"That's why we focus on prevention, and why we're tying to educate people to vaccinate their pets, to admire wildlife from afar and to recognize and act on potential exposures," said Karen Holbrook, Sonoma County's deputy public health officer.
Since 2010, local health officials have documented 15 cases of rabies, 13 of which involved bats. The other two involved a fox and a cat. The numbers are consistent with historic rates for such cases, but the county is hoping to remind people of the seriousness of the disease.
"Without preventive treatment, it's a progressive disease," Holbrook said. "Once symptoms have developed there is no drug or vaccine that will improve the chance for survival."
Holbrook said that there have been only a few human patients that survived rabies once symptoms set in.
Health officials said the first step in keeping rabies at bay is vaccinating pet cats and dogs, which are more likely to encounter wild animals. Low-cost rabies vaccinations are available throughout Sonoma County at clinics provided by VIP PetCare. Visit happypet.com/mobile to find a nearby clinic.
Also, beginning Aug. 22, Sonoma County Animal Care and Control will offer rabies vaccinations as part of its "Love Me Fix Me" spay and neuter mobile clinic. The $30 package also includes a data chip implant for pet security.
By state law, rabies vaccinations are required for all dogs over 4 months old. In Sonoma County, cats older than 4 months are also required to be vaccinated for rabies. Veterinarians are required to report their rabies vaccinations to Sonoma County Animal Care and Control.
The veterinarian requirement helps county officials assess or rule out potential rabies exposures, said Sandra Lupien, a spokeswoman for Animal Care and Control.
"One of the main reasons we're talking about it now is that we're not certain what the compliance rates are," Lupien said.
Health officials said it's important to know how to assess the possibility of exposure well before symptoms appear. Holbrook said there is vaccine treatment people can take that will prevent the disease.
"That's why we want people to recognize these potential exposures," she said, adding that people should obviously take immediate action if they are bitten by a wild animal.
"Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of rabid animal," she said. "You need their saliva to get into your body."
She said people should be wary of bold or aggressive behavior coming from wildlife that usually shies away from human contact. Another tell-tale sign is when nocturnal animals such as bats are out and about in the day time.
Bats are the most common carriers of rabies and their bites are not always detectable because their teeth are so small, Holbrook said. Sometimes, it may take a little bit of detective work to assess a possible case of exposure.
A sleeping child, for example, may not know that he or she has been bitten. If a bat is found in the room, a parent should err on the side of caution and call Animal Care and Control officials, who are best equipped to assess whether or not there has been an exposure.
Rabies cannot be tested in a patient until disease has developed.
"We can't test until you already have symptoms and you know what happens whey you already have symptoms," Holbrook said.
In the case of possible human exposure, people should immediately contact the county disease control unit at 565-4567. If a pet has possibly been exposed, owners should call Animal Care and Control at 565-07100.
(You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com)
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