About Rabies
Rabies is a virus that attacks the nervous system and if untreated, leads to death. The virus is found in saliva, mucous membrane (eyes, nose, mouth) & nervous tissue (brain and spinal cord) fluid of infected animals.
Behavior of animals with rabies
Animals with rabies may show unusual behavior for their species –
- Friendliness
- Irritability
- Aggressiveness
- Staggering
- Convulsing
- Choking
Once an animal starts showing unusual behavior due to rabies it will typically die within 10 days or less.
2024
2023
7 Gray Fox, 3 Raccoon, 2 Woodchuck, 1 bat
If you or your pet have been bitten, scratched or have had contact with the saliva of any animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water, call this Department for assistance in planning treatment. It is critical that before seeking rabies treatment – post exposure prophylaxis shots – the bite or exposure is reported to this Department.
Report all animal bites /exposures to Essex County Health Department
Mon-Fri 8 AM – 4 PM at 518-873-3500
After Business Hours, Weekends, Holidays 518-873-3500, you will be connected to our on call staff.
Was I Exposed to Rabies?
- Bitten by the animal
- Scratched by the animal
- Woke up to a bat in my room/child's room
- The animal's saliva came in contact with me
- The animal bit my pet
Every situation is different, if you are not sure of an exposure, call.
If Your Pet is bitten or has another exposure
- Wash the wound with soap and water
- Contact your veterinarian – the vet will decide if your pet needs to be vaccinated again
- Report all animal bites /exposures to Essex County Health Department
Protect Your Pets and Livestock
The rabies virus can take weeks to months to incubate in an animal before the animal acts unusually or rabid. Protect yourself, your pets and livestock :
- Keep pet dogs, cats & ferrets up-to-date on their rabies vaccines
- Vaccinate livestock as recommended by your veterinarian
- Stay away from wild and stray animals
- Avoid attracting stray and wild animals
* Store bird seed, pet food & garbage indoors.
* Do not feed pets outdoors.
* Tightly lock outdoor compost & garbage.
Handling Dead Animals
- Wear gloves and use a shovel to pick up the animal
- Double bag, knot and throw away the animal OR bury the animal 3’ deep
- Wash gloves and shovel with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for about 20 minutes
- Thoroughly wash hands with soap & water
About Bats
- Not all bats have rabies. In fact most bats don’t have rabies.
- Rabies is found in all bat species in NY.
- Rabies can be transmitted from bats to other mammals, but rabid bats rarely attack people.
- Rabid bats may show unusual behavior like fluttering on the ground, flying during the day, or biting people or animals.
- Avoid direct contact with all bats – bats have small teeth that may leave marks not easily seen.
- If there is a chance a bat had direct contact with a person or pet OR if you awaken to or find a bat in a room where someone was sleeping, try to catch it so it can be given to Essex County Health Department & tested.
- Call 873-3500 for advice on what to do and watch this short video on the best way to capture a bat.
New York State Department of Health Rabies Site
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rabies Site
Wildlife Rehabilitators
Wildlife Rehabilitators are licensed through NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Find a wildlife Rehabilitator Near Your (search by county).
Dog Bite Prevention
Any dog can bite
Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pup can bite if provoked. Most people are bitten by their own dog or one they know.
FACTS:
- Almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention.
- Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.
- Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.
Be sure to report any animal bite to this department.
DYK There are approximately 16,200 households in Essex County, each of those houses has an average of 3.4 pets – that’s 55,080 dogs and cats!!😲
- Wash the wound with soap and water.
- Ask for important information such as name and phone number of the owner.
- Seek immediate medical attention or contact your veterinarian even if your pet is current with rabies vaccine it will need to be vaccinated again.
- Report all animal bites /exposures to Essex County Health Department 518-873-3500
- Restrain the dog immediately. Separate it from the incident.
- Check on the victim’s condition. Wash wounds with soap and water. Professional medical advice should be sought to evaluate bite wounds and the risk of rabies or other infections. Call 911 if a response by paramedics is required.
- Provide important information including your name, phone number.
- Call our department to report the bite – 518-873-3500.
As a local health department we are responsible for rabies surveillance, prevention and control. Our activities include:
Following NYS Public Health Law that regulates rabies investigations for people and animals; Issuing notices of confinement or quarantine as necessary to prevent potential disease spread;Ensuring people receive treatment for rabies exposures (called rabies post exposure prophylaxis (PEP); Providing rabies education & outreach; Providing free vaccination clinics throughout the county; and Completing all rabies reporting requirements.
About Bats
DYK If you awaken to or find a bat in a room where someone was sleeping, it is considered an exposure to rabies?😲 Try to catch it so it can be given to Essex County Health Department & tested.
- Not all bats have rabies. In fact most bats don’t have rabies.
- Rabies is found in all bat species in NY.
- Rabies can be transmitted from bats to other mammals but rabid bats rarely attack people.
- Rabid bats may show unusual behavior like fluttering on the ground, flying during the day, or biting people or animals.
- Call 518-873-3500 for advice on what to do.
Our Goal - 900 Rabies Shots
Countdown to Next Rabies Clinic
Click the paw to register.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - Westport
Essex County Fairgrounds 6p-730p
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - Jay
Jay Fire Department 6p-730p
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Moriah
Moriah Firehouse 6p-730p
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - Chesterfield
Knights of Columbus 6p-730p
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - Schroon Lake
Fire Department 6p-730p
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - Ticonderoga
Highway Department 6p-730p
Thursday, November 6, 2025 - Elizabethtown
NYSDOT 6p-730p
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - Lake Placid
Horse Show Grounds 6p-730p
Rabies:
As a local health department we are responsible for rabies surveillance, prevention and control. Our activities include:
✅ Following NYS Public Health Law that regulates rabies investigations for people and animals;
✅ Issuing notices of confinement or quarantine as necessary to prevent potential disease spread;
✅ Ensuring people receive treatment for rabies exposures (called rabies post exposure prophylaxis (PEP);
✅ Providing rabies education & outreach;
✅ Providing free vaccination clinics throughout the county; and
✅ Completing all rabies reporting requirements.
Rabies is a virus that attacks the nervous system and if untreated, leads to death.
The virus is found in saliva, mucous membrane (eyes, nose, mouth) & nervous tissue (brain and spinal cord) fluid of infected animals.
OUR REQUIRED ACTIVITIES
NYS DOH requires reporting of certain communicable diseases. The local health department is responsible for a communicable disease program designed to minimize the incidence and impact of communicable diseases.
Mandated activities include all disease-specific protocols established by NYSDOH:
✅ Conducting surveillance of communicable diseases;
✅ Investigating suspected or confirmed communicable diseases as reported by mandated reporters (providers, labs, schools, and others);
✅ Reporting public health communicable disease threats to NYSDOH;
✅ Verifying diagnoses and identifying sources of infections;
✅ Minimizing the spread of disease through early identification and prophylaxis of exposed persons;
✅ Maintaining the capacity to perform multiple simultaneous investigations; and
✅ Communicating [at least annually] with health care providers, clinics and laboratories about local data, diagnostic and treatment modalities and reporting requirements.