PUBLIC HEALTH REMINDER:
KEEPING PETS CURRENT ON RABIES VACCINE IS IMPORTANT
(Placerville, CA) - El Dorado County Animal Services is reminding residents to keep pets current on rabies vaccines and immediately notify Animal Services of any animal bite to a human or pet. "All 58 counties in California are rabies endemic areas, which means the rabies virus is always present in the community," said Henry Brzezinski, Animal Services Chief. "Rabies can be fatal. El Dorado County Animal Services strongly urges pet owners to vaccinate all dogs, as required by state law, as well as cats against rabies and to keep their pets under a watchful eye."
Since the beginning of 2023, El Dorado County Animal Services has identified seven skunks that have tested positive for rabies. The most recent rabid skunk was found on July 1, 2023, in the 4400 block of Blanchard Road in Placerville. During the months of April and May 2023, two rabid skunks were found – one in the 500 block of Jim Hill Road in Placerville and one in the 2800 block of Polaris Street in Pollock Pines. Between January and March 2023, four rabid skunks were found – one in the 4400 block of Blanchard Road in Placerville, one in the 5400 block of Comstock Road in Placerville, one in the 4400 block of Fawn Street in Shingle Springs, and one in the 3600 block of Penobscot Road in Placerville.
Animal Services has reports of rabid animals each year. In 2022, Animal Services identified a total of 22 animals (3 bats, 18 skunks, and one cat) that tested positive for rabies in El Dorado County. Historically, most rabid animals in El Dorado County are identified on the County's West Slope, with smaller numbers reported in the South Lake Tahoe area, according to Brzezinski. Last year, rabid animals were found in numerous locations on the West Slope of El Dorado County, including the Placerville area, Shingle Springs, Georgetown, Garden Valley, Pollock Pines, Kelsey, Greenwood and Somerset.
According to Mary Hill, Animal Services Health Program Specialist, pet owners should ensure that both dogs and cats are vaccinated. "Keeping cats up-to-date on their rabies vaccine is important due to the fact that many people keep their cats outdoors, and cats are especially interested in wildlife," said Hill. "Also, puppies may now be vaccinated as early as three months of age; the law changed several years ago regarding the age when puppies can be vaccinated against rabies. In addition, and importantly, Animal Services advises that if you or your pet has contact with a suspected rabid animal that you report it immediately so that rabies testing can be performed."
Rabies is a virus spread through the bite and saliva of an infected animal. It is usually fatal to pets and humans if not treated shortly after exposure. While any animal can become infected with the rabies virus, bats, skunks and fox are the animals most commonly found to carry the virus. Comprehensive vaccination programs in the United States have meant that rabies among domestic pets is now uncommon.
To prevent the spread of rabies:
- Maintain current rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and livestock.
- Keep property free of garbage, stored bird seed and leftover pet food to avoid attracting wild animals.
- Keep pet doors closed at night to prevent entry of wild animals into the home.
- Never approach, pick up, feed or interact with unfamiliar dogs, cats or wild animals.
- Don't approach an animal that appears sick or aggressive. Report it to Animal Services.
- Don't touch a dead animal with bare hands.
- Call Animal Services if a domestic or wild animal shows sign of rabies (such as staggering, confusion, lack of fear or aggressive behavior).
- Notify Animal Services immediately if a person or pet is bitten or exposed to a suspected rabid animal.
- Immediately notify Animal Services if you find a bat alive or dead in your bedroom.
For more information about rabies or Animal Services, visit www.edcgov.us/animalservices. To reach Animal Services by phone, call (530) 621-5795 in Diamond Springs or at (530) 573-7925 in South Lake Tahoe.
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