Jefferson County sees spike in rabies cases

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – In the last couple of weeks, Jefferson County has confirmed rabies in a barn cat, raccoon, bat and skunk.

There have been 7 positive cases so far this year. Compare that to all of 2023 when the county had 3 cases.

“Vaccination is the biggest thing that we can do. There are annual and then there are three-year vaccines that we can give our dog and cat patients that I highly recommend everyone should do. It is really the only way to prevent it and keep them safe from that,” said Dr. Will Long, a veterinarian at VCA North Country Animal Hospital.

Rabies is a fatal disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord.

Any mammal can get rabies, but it is most often seen in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Animals do not have to be aggressive or behave erratically to have rabies. Changes in any

animal’s normal behavior can be early signs of rabies.

Even though there are already more rabies cases this year compared to last, Jefferson County Public Health Service says people don’t need to worry.

“Not any more concern than usual. We want people to take all the normal precautions,” said Lisa Lagos, a public health educator.

Health officials say don’t leave trash unsecured outside your house, don’t feed wild animals, and keep your distance from any wild animal.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also planning to help combat rabies in the area, which is something it does every year.

“The end of July or early August, the USDA does an oral rabies vaccination bait drop,” said Lagos.

While current cases may catch your attention, public health officials point out they have seen plenty more negative test results than positive.

Jefferson County Public Health will host a vaccination clinic this Thursday. It’ll be at the Jefferson County Dog Control facility at 21897 County Route 190, Watertown. A $10 donation is suggested. (An earlier story indicated the clinic was at Public Health. It is not.)

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