2. Rabies: What kids need to know! Slides provided by: Wyoming Department Health Preventive Health and Safety Division

3. What is Rabies? Rabies is a dangerous disease caused by a virus. Rabies is a dangerous disease caused by a virus. Around the world, rabies kills 50,000 people and millions of animals each year. Around the world, rabies kills 50,000 people and millions of animals each year.

4. Any mammal can get rabies. Skunks and bats Dogs, cats, cattle and horses Dogs, cats, cattle and horses Humans Humans

5.  If a person or animal gets rabies, they will almost always die from it. 

6. How do you get rabies? People and animals can only get rabies if they are bitten or scratched by an animal that already has rabies. Their saliva carries the rabies virus, even if the animal is dead.

7. How does rabies make you sick? How does rabies make you sick? Once inside the body, the virus travels along the nerves. Its main target is the the brain and spinal cord.

9. Animals that can give you rabies

10. Skunks

11. Bats

12. Bats Bats are cool wildlife but you should never touch them If you wake up and find a bat in your room or if you have touched a bat tell an adult. The adult should contact your health care provider to talk about your need for treatment

13. Cats - especially stray and unvaccinated

14. Dogs - especially stray & unvaccinated

15. Raccoons

16. Cows

17. Horses

18. Ferrets Many people have ferrets as pets. They should be vaccinated for rabies.

19. Mammals that are less likely to carry rabies

20. Animals that don’t carry rabies

21. Signs of rabies in animals can include: Unusual behavior –Wild animals that appear friendly –Nocturnal animals active during the day An increase in drool or saliva Animals that act very sick or mean Animals that have difficulty moving or are dead

22. The only way to tell In the laboratory Lab scientists test the brain of a dead animal for rabies.

23. Rabies in Wyoming 1995-2005 408 animals diagnosed with rabies 303 skunks 70 bats 11 cats 9 horses 8 cows 4 dogs 1 raccoons 1 squirrel 1 squirrel 1 fox 1 fox

24. Can you prevent rabies? YES! Vaccines (shots) against rabies for pets Wash bite wounds and scratches thoroughly Stay away from bats, wildlife and strays Report any contact with wild bats or other wild animals to parents or another adult

25. The best way to prevent rabies is to make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies!!

26. Protect your pets Vaccinate your pet dog, cat, or ferret Always leash your dog. Tell an adult if you see a wild or stray animal acting strangely. If your pet gets bitten by an animal, call your vet right away. Get your pets spayed or neutered.

27. Protect yourself  Never touch a bat or other wildlife  Always ask permission to touch someone else’s pet.  Call an animal control officer if you find a sick or hurt animal.  Keep trash cans closed.  Put all pet food away.

28. Tell an adult immediately Wash the wound out with soap and water Call your doctor right away If you are bitten or scratched

29. Rabies Quiz

30. Which of these can carry rabies?

31. Dogs?

32. Raccoons?

33. Snakes?

34. Cats?

35. Rabbit? (this one is tricky)

36. True or False? TRUE Rabies is caused by a virus.

37. True or False? FALSE A bite from a snake can give you rabies.

38. True or False? TRUE The rabies virus affects the nervous system.

39. TRUE If you are bitten by any animal, you should clean the wound right away. True or False?

40. TRUE People can get rabies from the saliva of an animal with rabies.

41. FALSE You will always know if you are bitten by a bat, even if you are asleep. True or False?

42. FALSE If you are bitten by a mouse, you should always receive the rabies vaccine. True or False?

43. The best way to protect yourself from rabies is: A. Avoid animals not known to you. B. Vaccinate your pets. C. Report animals with strange behavior. D. Maintain your property and keep trash properly contained. ALL OF THE ABOVE

44. In 2005 in Wyoming, which species had the highest number of rabies cases?

45. Stay away from strays and wild animals If you see strays or wild animals, tell an adult. If you are ever bitten or scratched by an animal, tell an adult. Wash your cut with soap and water for 10 minutes. Watch out for rabies

46. To learn more about Rabies Wyoming Department Health 307-777-7172 Center for Disease and Prevention www.cdc.gov