Thursday, June 5, 2008

Globe Rabies Warning

On June 4th, the test results for the 2 bats found in the Globe area came back with positive tests for rabies. One of these bats was reported to heve been found in the parking lot of the Comfort Inn. If you had any contact with this bat contact the Gila County Rabies Control at, (928) 402-8873. The other bat was picked up from a residence on Cholla Drive. So far, only 1 dog came into contact with one of these bats & is on a 45 day home Quarantine.

Please take the following precautions:

(1) Keep pets on a leash at all times! Pets should be up-to-date on rabies vaccinations & wearing current license tags on their collar.
(2) Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals! Enjoy observing wildlife from a distance. Don't attempt to feed, approach, or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important message to your children, & keep a close eye on your kids at all times. If you see a sick or dead animal, or an animal acting abnormally* in this area, report it to Gila Co. Rabies Control at (928) 402-8873.
(3) If you or a loved-one are bitten by an animal, or come into contact with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap & water. Be sure to report the bite to local animal control or health officials as soon as possible.

* Note: Rabid animals may show no fear of people & may even seem friendly or become aggressive. For more info about rabies, call our local health department at (928) 402-8873.