On December 10, 2013, the Frederick County Health Department received a report from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Rabies Laboratory confirming that an adult, orange domestic Shorthair cat had tested positive for the rabies virus.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 11, 2013
CAT TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES IN FREDERICK CITY
FREDERICK, MD – On December 10, 2013, the Frederick County Health Department received a report from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Rabies Laboratory confirming that an adult, orange domestic Shorthair cat had tested positive for the rabies virus. The stray cat was picked up on Sunday, December 8, 2013 in the 500 block of East Church Street in Frederick, MD after residents observed its unusual behavior.
The Health Department recommends that anyone who may have had contact with this cat from November 28 through December 8, 2013 should consult their health care provider and notify the Health Department at 301-600-3342. If any of your pets may have been in contact with the cat, consult with your veterinarian and notify the Health Department at 301-600-1717.
Rabies is a viral disease that infects mammals (warm-blooded animals who nurse their young) and is spread through the saliva of the infected animal, usually via bite. The disease is nearly always fatal to humans without proper treatment. Symptoms of rabies in animals may include fear of water, limping, failure to eat or drink, excessive salivation, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior, or other atypical behaviors such as nocturnal animals emerging during the daytime. Cats account for the majority of rabies in domestic animals in Maryland.
George Keller, Director, for the Health Department’s Environmental Health Services advises the public, “To protect your family from possible rabies exposure, do not touch or play with wild or stray animals and make sure that your pets are currently vaccinated”.
If you have a stray animal on your property, do not touch it and do not attempt to contain it. If you or your pets have contact with a stray or wild animal you should call Animal Control at 301-600-1544 to speak with an Animal Control Officer.
CONTACT: Karen Amoss
Public Information Representative
Environmental Health
301-600-1726
TTY: Use Maryland Relay
KAmoss@frederickcountymd.gov
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