Wednesday, August 21, 2013
BOARDMAN
The fourth rabid raccoon in Mahoning County this season was found in Boardman Township near Market Street and Meadowbrook Avenue.
Mahoning County Health Department officials reported the incident Tuesday. The raccoon, believed to be sick, was killed in mid-July. Health officials said there were no known exposures to animals or humans in this case.
The local US Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services Office ran a preliminary test on the raccoon that indicated it was positive for rabies. The specimen was then sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which confirmed the preliminary report, said Mary Helen Smith, director of environmental health for the Mahoning County District Board of Health.
County health officials remind residents to protect themselves from the threat of rabies by following these precautions: Vaccinate pets; maintain control of pets to reduce their exposure to wildlife; spay or neuter pets to decrease the number of stray animals; avoid contact with wildlife and stray animals; and wash any animal bite areas thoroughly and follow up with a doctor visit.
“Residents should be vigilant and not interact with or feed wildlife, feed pets indoors, and keep trash can lids secure to avoid attracting wildlife into your yard,” Smith said.
Residents who find a suspected sick or dead raccoon, skunk, or fox that is not decayed or involved in a pet or human exposure, are asked to contact their local health department for surveillance purposes.
If found in Youngstown, they should contact the Youngstown City Health District at 330-743-3333. If found in all other Mahoning County communities, contact the Mahoning County District Board of Health at 330-270-2855 menu selection 2.
The county health department’s fall rabies vaccination clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets is from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Struthers Police Department garage, 6 Elm St. No appointment is necessary. The cost is $6 per shot.
Also on Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Health reported that a 72-year-old female in Cuyahoga County is 2013’s first case of West Nile Virus in humans. She is hospitalized with WNV meningitis.
“We’ve seen human cases of West Nile virus each year in Ohio since 2002 but it is encouraging that our counts are down compared to where we were a year ago,” said ODH Director Dr. Ted Wymyslo.
According to the data acquired through the mosquito surveillance partnerships, the percent of mosquitoes that tested positive for WNV is 10 times less this year than it was during the same time in 2012.