Rabies Season is Here

Spring and summer mean more outdoor time and more open windows-and more chances for people to come in contact with wildlife, including flying bats.

While many people are aware that raccoons, foxes and unvaccinated dogs and cats may carry rabies, many do not know that bats can also transmit this deadly disease to people. And because bats are small and quiet, and their bites are usually painless, people don’t always realize when they have been bitten. In recent years, human cases of rabies in the United States are almost exclusively linked to bats.

While rabies disease can be prevented if a person is treated very soon after they are exposed, once symptoms develop rabies is nearly always fatal. Since there is no known cure, people must know what they can do to protect themselves and their families.

People should not sleep in a cabin, tent, shelter or lodging facility if bats are present. If you awaken to find a bat in your room, tent or cabin, it should be captured and tested for rabies as quickly as possible, and you should seek medical advice. Health officials say if you are bitten, seek medical help right away.



There will be a series of pet vaccination times coming up across Wilkes county the early part of this month.



They include:



Tuesday, May 8th 6:30pm-7:30pm

· Boomer Community Center

· Millers Creek Elementary

· Ronda-Clingman Elementary

· Traphill Elementary

Thursday, May 10th 6:30pm-7:30pm

· Mt. Pleasant Elementary

· Mountain View Elementary

· Mulberry Elementary

· Southeastern Community Center

Saturday, May 12th

· Animal Hospital of Wilkes (12noon - 2pm)

· Elkin Veterinary Clinic (9am - 12noon)

· Riverview Animal Hospital (8am-12noon)

· State Road Animal Hospital (8am-12noon)

· Wilkes Veterinary Hospital (1pm-2pm)