BREWSTER, NY—Rabies is a deadly virus. People and pets can be exposed to this virus when bitten or scratched by an infected animal, and any mammal in the wild may carry and spread the rabies virus. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and feral cats are the most common carriers in Putnam County. Last month however, a woodchuck tested positive for rabies. Fortunately, the dog that had encountered the infected animal had been previously vaccinated and only needed a rabies booster.

            “It’s important to realize that the number of animals who test positive for the rabies virus does not accurately tell us how prevalent the virus is here in our county,” explains Marianne Burdick, associate public health sanitarian, who supervises the rabies control program at the Putnam County Department of Health. “Regardless, we do everything we can to limit the spread of this fatal virus and vaccinating your pets is an important step that all pet owners can take.”

On Saturday, November 18, a free rabies vaccination clinic for Putnam pets will be hosted by the health department. The event—for dogs, cats and ferrets—takes place in the Upper Park of Veterans Memorial Park at 201 Gypsy Trail Road in Carmel. It is open to all Putnam residents, with a photo ID as proof of residency. Dogs must be on a leash, and cats and ferrets in top-loading carriers. A one-year rabies vaccine will be given unless a certificate of prior rabies vaccination is shown. If a certificate is brought to the clinic, then a three-year vaccine can be administered. Rabies tags are not acceptable proof, only a rabies certificate. Pets must also be at least 12 weeks of age and supervised by an adult at all times. Masks are recommended for pet owners when inside the barn and social/physical distancing is encouraged. Improving access to these vaccines is a potentially life-saving measure, and one of the reasons the clinics are free for Putnam residents. The goal is to reduce equity issues that impact health coverage and outcomes. The health department hosts three clinics each year—in March, July and November. For more information, call the health department at 845-808-1390, extension 43160.

Because rabies is so deadly—with an almost 100 percent fatality rate—any possible exposure is treated. In Putnam County, so far this year there have been 273 investigations by health department staff, which have resulted in 64 rabies samples sent to the Wadsworth rabies laboratory, and 23 treatments for potential exposure. The most common situation for potential exposure occurs when a bat is found in a room where someone has been sleeping. In this case, a bite or scratch may go unnoticed. If the bat can be safely caught—and tested—and the bat proves to be free from infection, then rabies treatment can be avoided. The importance of capturing any bat found inside one’s home cannot be overestimated, since the typical course of a rabies treatment is a series of multiple intramuscular shots, given over 21 days. To learn how to safely capture a bat, the New York State Department of Health has produced a video available on YouTube and accessible through the PCDOH website here: Capture-The-Bat video.

Feral cats that are unsocialized and live outdoors can be another source of rabies exposures. Since 2012 the health department has partnered with Putnam AdvoCats to facilitate a humane initiative, called “trap-neuter-release,” or TNR. This process reduces feral cat populations and limits potential exposures to rabies which can infect these animals.

The health department also emphasizes the importance of reporting an animal bite, or contact with any wild animal, to the office as soon as possible by calling 845-808-1390. After hours or on weekends, potential exposures should be reported to the department’s environmental hotline, accessed through the voice mail system by pressing extension number 3. A health department staff member will return the call promptly. 

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.com, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.