32 The Courier sun • health • july 2, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com ▶health Know the signs of rabies infection by the QUENS COURIER STAFF [email protected]/@queenscourier While enjoying the great outdoors this summer, New Yorkers should be on guard against potentially rabid wild animals, according to the state Health Department. Rabies, a potentially fatal disease, attacks the central nervous system and is transmitted through bites from bats, raccoons, opossums, skunks, foxes and other mammals. Pets and livestock may contract rabies if they are not vaccinated. Raccoons, skunks and other critters known to carry the disease have been observed around many parts of Queens, including local parks and cemeteries. A change in an animal’s behavior is usually the first sign of rabies infection. The animals may become irritable and aggressive or may be observed staggering, convulsing, choking, foaming at the mouth and making unusual sounds. Another possible sign of infection among nocturnal animals such as raccoons is if they’re seen appearing disoriented during the day. Animals who contract rabies and develop symptoms often die within a week. People are usually exposed to the rabies virus when an infected animal bites them, or if saliva from a rabid animal enters an open cut or mucous membrane (eyes, nose or mouth). If a human becomes infected, flu like symptoms will appear and progress into delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations and insomnia. Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment is typically supportive. Fortunately, only a few human cases are reported each year in the United States because infection can be prevented if treatment is given immediately after exposure to a rabid animal. In order to protect themselves against rabies, the DOH recommends that New Yorkers: • Enjoy wildlife from a distance. Don’t feed, touch or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats. If you see an animal that is sick, injured or orphaned, call an animal control officer or wildlife rehabilitator. Do not handle the animal yourself. • Be sure your pet dogs, cats and ferrets as well as horses and valuable livestock animals are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Vaccination protects pets if they are exposed to rabid animals. Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors and allowed outside only under direct observation. • Keep family pets indoors at night. Don’t leave them outside unattended or let them roam free. • Don’t attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed or other foods that may attract wild animals. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cap or put away garbage cans. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap your chimney with screens. • If nuisance wild animals are living in parts of your home, consult with a nuisance wildlife control expert about having them removed. You can find wildlife control experts, who work on a fee-for-service basis, in your telephone directory under pest control. • Teach children not to touch any animal they do not know and to tell an adult immediately if they are bitten by any animal. • If a wild animal is on your property, let it wander away. Bring children and pets indoors and alert neighbors who are outside. You may contact a nuisance wildlife control expert who will remove the animal for a fee. • Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to your county health department. If possible, do not let any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to rabies. County health departments across the state sponsor pet vaccination clinics. To find one near you, call your county health department or visit http://www.health. ny.gov/press/releases/2015/2015-05_rabies_clinics/. For more information on rabies and how to protect yourself and family, visit: https://www.health.ny.gov/ diseases/communicable/rabies/fact_sheet.htm. Photo via Wikimedia Commons Raccoons are one type of animal known to contract rabies. ALLERGY SEASON IS HERE Do you cry from itchy, tearing, red swollen eyes, stuffy nose, and sore throat? Do you have sinus problems, shortness of breath or asthma? Adult & Pediatric Allergy & Asthma Care Specialist BETTER MEDICAL CARE, PC Warren W. Hsu, M.D. Board Certifi ed Allergist 212-15 Union Tpke • Bayside 718-217-8600 Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat • 10am-7pm FREE Parking • Nasal Congestion and Infl ammation • Sneezing • Itchy Watery Eyes • Runny or Stuffed Up Nose • Sore Throat • Low Grade Fever Most Insurance Plans Accepted No Diagnostic Co-Pay On Your First Visit Only. With This Coupon Only WINNER 3 Years in a Row Hayfever Season Pollen Season Ragweed Season LOOKING FOR CARE FOR YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE? CARING IS OUR BUSINESS Licensed by New York State Department of Health Accreditation MEDICAID ACCEPTED 188 Montague Street 10% OFF with this ad OUR EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS WILL DEVELOP AN APPROPRIATE PLAN OF CARE FOR EACH CLIENT. THE PLAN WILL OUTLINE SPECIFIC TASKS TO MEET THE CLIENT’S NEEDS. WE SERVE THOSE WHO ARE: • Disabled or Elderly • In Need of Assistance with Daily Activities • Recently Discharged From the Hospital • Terminally ill • New Patients With Well Baby Care Needs • In Need of Housekeeping Services SERVICES OFFERED: • Registered Nurses • Licensed Practical Nurses • Home Health Aides • Personal Care Aides • Companions • Live In Aides • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy ALL STAFF MEMBERS ARE INSURED, BONDED & FINGERPRINTED BY NYS-DEPT. OF HEALTH Brooklyn NY T: 718-488-8300 Employment Opportunities Available Please Contact Us 25 South Tyson Avenue Floral Park, NY T: 516-358-1999 Email: [email protected] www.carelinkhomecareny.com
SC07022015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above