RABIES IN OHIO

RABIES IN OHIO

So far in 2007, eight raccoons have tested positive for rabies: six in Lake County, and one each in Cuyahoga and Mahoning counties.

Also in 2007, seven skunks tested positive with the raccoon rabies strain; and 65 bats from around the state tested positive for rabies.

In 2006, 4,210 animals from Ohio were tested for rabies by the Ohio Department of Health laboratories. Of those tested, 59 animals were positive: 10 were raccoons, 48 were bats, and one was an opossum.

In 2006, 58 people were exposed to rabid animals in Ohio, 54 of whom started rabies post-exposure treatment. Fifty of the people were exposed to rabid bats, six to raccoons and two to the opossum.

Source: The Ohio Department of Health