San Juan Basin Public Health reminds residents to be rabies aware and to avoid contact with wild animals, especially those acting unusually.
Take precautions for pets and livestock, and be sure vaccinations are current. Pets and other domestic animals can be infected when they are bitten by rabid wild animals. When “spillover” rabies occurs from wild animals to domestic animals, the risk to humans is increased.
Rabies is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms appear. People who have been bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal should contact their health care provider immediately.
Bats are the most common carriers of rabies in Colorado and can bite people while they sleep. A bat present in a room with children or sleeping people should be safely trapped and tested for rabies. If a bat cannot be tested or there are multiple bats in the home, post-exposure treatment is recommended.
To prevent rabies exposure, never touch or feed wild or stray animals, do not leave pet food outdoors, do not touch sick or orphaned animals, vaccinate pets, leash dogs, keep cats and other pets inside at night, call a veterinarian promptly if a pet has been exposed to a wild animal, vaccinate pastured animals annually and bat-proof homes using resources at www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/management.
Sick wildlife often do not run away when spotted by people, may act aggressively or will violently approach people or pets and might have trouble walking, flying, eating or drinking.
To report an encounter with a suspect animal, call 247-5702.
For more information about rabies and precautions, visit www.cdc.gov/rabies.
