Two stray kittens found this month in North Conway were found to have rabies, and New Hampshire health officials are trying to locate anyone who came into contact with them. The Department of Health and Human Services said a concerned citizen picked up one of the kittens and took it. to the Conway Area Humane Society. Two veterinary offices cared for the kitten before he showed symptoms of rabies on November 11. He tested positive on November 13. A second kitten tested positive on Nov. 16, and health officials said an investigation is underway to identify anyone who may have it. “Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist. “Rabies normally circulates among wild animals, and each year, between 20 and 30 animals test positive for rabies in New Hampshire. The best way to prevent exposure is to avoid direct contact with stray, feral, or feral animals. If If a person is exposed to a sick animal, they may need the rabies vaccine and protective antibodies to prevent the disease. “Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and other parts of the central nervous system. It is transmitted when saliva from an infected animal comes into direct contact with broken skin or mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, usually when a person or pet is scratched or bitten. If a person or pet does not receive proper medical care after exposure to rabies, the virus can infect the brain, cause neurological symptoms, and ultimately lead to death. Human infections are extremely rare in the United States and preventative treatment is recommended for people who have been exposed. All dogs, cats, and ferrets should have up-to-date rabies vaccinations. It is also recommended that certain species of livestock receive the rabies vaccine. Anyone who has questions about rabies or is concerned that they have been exposed to an animal infected with rabies should seek medical attention or call the New Hampshire Office of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496.
Two stray kittens found this month in North Conway were found to have rabies and New Hampshire health officials are trying to locate anyone who may have had contact with them.
The Department of Health and Human Services said a concerned citizen picked up one of the kittens and took it to the Conway Area Humane Society. Two veterinary offices cared for the kitten before he showed symptoms of rabies on November 11. He tested positive on November 13.
A second kitten tested positive on Nov. 16 and health officials said an investigation is underway to identify anyone who may have been exposed.
“Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist. “Rabies normally circulates among wild animals, and each year, between 20 and 30 animals test positive for rabies in New Hampshire. The best way to prevent exposure is to avoid direct contact with stray, feral, or feral animals. If “If a person is exposed to a sick animal, they may need the rabies vaccine and protective antibodies to prevent the disease.”
Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and other parts of the central nervous system. It is transmitted when saliva from an infected animal comes into direct contact with broken skin or mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, usually when a person or pet is scratched or bitten.
If a person or pet does not receive proper medical care after exposure to rabies, the virus can infect the brain, cause neurological symptoms, and ultimately lead to death. Human infections are extremely rare in the United States and preventive treatment is recommended for people who have been exposed.
All dogs, cats, and ferrets should have up-to-date rabies vaccinations. It is also recommended that certain species of livestock receive the rabies vaccine.
Anyone who has questions about rabies or is concerned that they have been exposed to an animal infected with rabies should seek medical attention or call the New Hampshire Office of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496.
