Putnam County Reports Increased Rabies Exposures; Next Vaccination Clinic Scheduled for July 18

BREWSTER, NY—As spring brings increased outdoor activity, the Putnam County Department of Health is experiencing a rise in rabies exposures. The return of bats and the birth of wild animal offspring contribute to this trend. Rabies can be transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via bites or open wounds. The department investigates and assesses all reported exposures and recommends rabies prevention treatment when necessary.

Public Health Director Rian Rodriguez emphasized the importance of rabies education, stating that the department reaches out to both the public and veterinarians regarding the need to capture and test bats in the event of an exposure. Rodriguez added that prompt reporting of exposures is critical for effective treatment, highlighting that health department staff are available to assist at any time.

Although rabies is uncommon, it is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, making prevention vital. Associate Public Health Sanitarian Marianne Burdick advised residents to avoid wild animals, noting that parent animals are often nearby if newborns are found alone and do not need to be rescued.

Vaccinating pets is another key preventive measure. In March, the health department organized a free rabies vaccination clinic, where more than a hundred residents participated, and 93 dogs, 58 cats, and one ferret were vaccinated.

As of April 8, the health department had investigated 88 potential exposures this year, with most cases involving bats, dogs, and stray or feral cats. However, any mammal can carry rabies, including foxes, raccoons, and skunks. Residents who are bitten or scratched by any animal should immediately report it to the health department.

The rabies control program operates year-round, and the after-hours environmental health hotline is available at 845-808-1390, extension 3. To educate the public further, the health department has shared a link on its website to a video on safely capturing bats.

Rabies postexposure prophylaxis (RPEP) is the recommended treatment for those exposed, which includes the administration of human rabies immune globulin and a series of rabies vaccine shots. Globally, rabies causes approximately 60,000 deaths annually, primarily due to dog bites, although rabid dogs are rare in the U.S. due to high pet vaccination rates. A study conducted by Brown University revealed that over half of dog owners showed hesitancy in vaccinating their pets.

Possible side effects from vaccinations are typically mild and include low fever and soreness at the injection site. However, these are minor compared to the risks associated with rabies.

The next rabies vaccination clinic is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, from 10 am to noon at Hubbard Lodge in Cold Spring. Burdick urged pet owners to take advantage of this free opportunity, noting that rabies vaccination is mandated by New York State for pets before they reach four months of age.

The Putnam County Department of Health is dedicated to protecting community health and is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029. The department serves almost 100,000 residents, focusing on equitable community health services.