I just saw this. Posted 3 days ago on Carroll County Health Department Facebook page.
A stray cat that was acting strangely has tested positive for the rabies virus.
The domestic long-haired calico cat lived in the Sykesville area of Carroll County near the intersection of Oakland Mills Road and Arthur Avenue. Because it was a stray cat who sometimes visited a home in the area, the Health Department is concerned that additional people may have been exposed. Rabies exposure occurs through bites and scratches or saliva from the infected animal getting into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.
Anyone who may have been exposed to bites, scratches, or saliva from a long-haired calico cat in this area can call the Health Department at 410-876-1884 for more information and a risk assessment. If your pet may have interacted with this cat, you may also call for a risk assessment.
Rabies in feral (wild) cats is not uncommon in Maryland. Rabies is also common in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.
To keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe from rabies:
- Do not approach, handle, or feed wild or stray animals.
- Have your dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated against rabies and keep their vaccinations up-to-date. The Health Department will hold another low-cost rabies vaccination clinic on Sunday, September 10, 2023, from 2-4 pm at the Ag Center in Westminster.
- Do not leave pets outside unattended or allow them to roam free.
- Cover garbage cans tightly and do not leave pet food outside.
- Teach children to stay away from wild animals and any animals that they do not know.
- Prevent bats from entering your home by using window screens and chimney caps. Bats found in the home should be safely collected, if possible, and tested for rabies.
- If you encounter a wild or stray animal that is sick, injured, or acting strangely, call Animal Control (410-848-4810). If you must move the animal, use gloves or an implement – do not handle any strange animal directly.
- If you or your pet have been bitten or scratched by a wild or stray animal, wash the area with soap and water for several minutes. Keep your pet away from other people and pets. Then call your physician or veterinarian and contact the Health Department (410-876-1884).
A stray cat that was acting strangely has tested positive for the rabies virus.
The domestic long-haired calico cat lived in the Sykesville area of Carroll County near the intersection of Oakland Mills Road and Arthur Avenue. Because it was a stray cat who sometimes visited a home in the area, the Health Department is concerned that additional people may have been exposed. Rabies exposure occurs through bites and scratches or saliva from the infected animal getting into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.
Anyone who may have been exposed to bites, scratches, or saliva from a long-haired calico cat in this area can call the Health Department at 410-876-1884 for more information and a risk assessment. If your pet may have interacted with this cat, you may also call for a risk assessment.
Rabies in feral (wild) cats is not uncommon in Maryland. Rabies is also common in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.
To keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe from rabies:
- Do not approach, handle, or feed wild or stray animals.
- Have your dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated against rabies and keep their vaccinations up-to-date. The Health Department will hold another low-cost rabies vaccination clinic on Sunday, September 10, 2023, from 2-4 pm at the Ag Center in Westminster.
- Do not leave pets outside unattended or allow them to roam free.
- Cover garbage cans tightly and do not leave pet food outside.
- Teach children to stay away from wild animals and any animals that they do not know.
- Prevent bats from entering your home by using window screens and chimney caps. Bats found in the home should be safely collected, if possible, and tested for rabies.
- If you encounter a wild or stray animal that is sick, injured, or acting strangely, call Animal Control (410-848-4810). If you must move the animal, use gloves or an implement – do not handle any strange animal directly.
- If you or your pet have been bitten or scratched by a wild or stray animal, wash the area with soap and water for several minutes. Keep your pet away from other people and pets. Then call your physician or veterinarian and contact the Health Department (410-876-1884).
