NYC Health Department identifies rabid stray cat in Annadale, asks those with contact to seek treatment

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Town health and fitness officials say they determined a rabid stray cat in Annadale past week and are asking any one who could have arrive in call with it to seek health care awareness.

A spokesperson for the New York Metropolis Office of Overall health and Psychological Cleanliness explained the cat no more time poses a risk to the community after its seize Might 20 near the intersection of North Railroad Avenue and Detroit Avenue.

Any person who had speak to with the gray and white domestic shorthair cat must make contact with their overall health care company or find care at an crisis section instantly, according to the Health Division.

Pet entrepreneurs with animals who may well have appear in speak to with the rabid animal ought to speak to a veterinarian, according to the Overall health Section.

Signals of rabies in animals include:

• Lethargy
• Confusion or disorientation
• Problems relocating or strolling/paralysis
• Uncommon or serious aggression
• Having or chewing objects, these types of as wood, soil, stones, vegetation or other abnormal products
• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Voice modifications/hoarseness
• Dilated pupils or vacant stare
• Abnormal habits, these kinds of as a wild animal that does not shy absent from individuals

Rabies is treatable with a vaccination, but if remaining untreated, can be lethal, in accordance to the Health and fitness Department.

The spokesman stated the Section had recognized a number of people today in the location who arrived in make contact with with the cat, and have considering the fact that been taken care of.

In New York City, pet cats and puppies will need to have up-to-day vaccinations from rabies beneath city regulation.

In accordance to the Health and fitness Section, puppies and kittens really should get their initially rabies shot by four months of age. Revaccination is necessary no afterwards than 1 calendar year right after the main vaccination. Revaccinations will have to be administered at intervals thereafter.

This is the next rabies case determined in the city this 12 months. The metropolis discovered a rabid raccoon in Queens this earlier March. Most reviews of rabid animals are of raccoons.

Animal rabies surveillance in New York City commenced in 1992. Because then, extra than 600 animals have examined positive for rabies in the city. No city dogs have tested positive for more than 60 decades, and the previous human circumstance claimed in the 5 boroughs was in 1947.

Considering the fact that 2010, 109 Staten Island animals have analyzed good for rabies, according to on line stats from the Wellbeing Department.