Putnam Schedules Rabies Vaccine Clinic to Shield Pets and Folks

BREWSTER, NY — A free Putnam Pet Rabies Clinic is scheduled for March 26.

Rabies has the very best fatality price of any recognized illness, which is why the Putnam County Well being Division, together with native well being departments throughout New York State, is main the essential work of public well being to guard folks from the damaging virus.

Defending your self in opposition to rabies is a 24/7 job, one year a yr. Final yr, for instance, the well being division investigated 345 potential rabies exposures. Of these, employees decided that 27 folks had a recognized or high-risk publicity.

Putnam County Well being Commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, mentioned all 27 folks uncovered in 2021 required quick therapy, which consists of a sequence of injections.

“This rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, or RPEP, needs to be given between the time of publicity and the onset of signs as a result of the illness has a fatality price of practically 100% as soon as signs develop.” , mentioned. “Early signs of rabies could embody fever, headache, weak point, and irregular sensations on the website of the chunk. Because the illness progresses, it impacts mind perform. Anxiousness, confusion, and agitation are adopted by delirium, hallucinations, and irregular behaviors.