Two cases of rabies have been confirmed in Clay County in the last 10 days. Clay County Health Department Supervisor Tanya Long said other cases are being observed, too. “In all of these cases there was human exposure as well as animal contact,” Long said. “I want to be sure people realize the danger when they are trying to handle a situation involving a suspicious animal.”
Information from the Centers for Disease Control explains the rabies virus is spread through the saliva of infected animals. All mammals can get rabies, but in the United States, it is most commonly spread by bites, licks or scratches from coyotes, bats, foxes, skunks and raccoons.
After rabies symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal so prevention is the best course of action. Once infected, rabies attacks the body’s central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord before leading to death. Ways to avoid rabies are: