Today is National Rabies Awareness Day. Rabies is a viral infection which is transmitted in the saliva of the infected animal. According to officials at the Health Department, the main way to prevent rabies is to stay away from wild animals and make sure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Christine Buffington says rabies is 100% fatal.
In the past year, six animal samples collected after contact with a human were positive for rabies. Christine Buffington says it is important to notify the Health Department as soon as you are bitten by an animal so the Health Department can test the animal for rabies and make sure you receive proper treatment.