Rabies: What scouts need to know!

1. Rabies: What scouts need to know! This presentation was adapted from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health , Division of Epidemiology and Immunization.

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

3. What Does Rabies Do? • Rabies causes a disease in the brain. • This makes animals act in ways that they normally would not. • Wild animals may act nice or mean.

4. Where is Rabies? • The rabies virus is only found in mammals and it is mostly found in wild mammals. • Mammals are animals that are warm-blooded, grow hair and make milk to feed their babies. • The rabies virus does not infect birds, fish, reptiles or amphibians.

5. Any mammal can get rabies! Skunks Raccoons Bats Foxes Cats Dogs Cows

6. How do you get rabies? • Rabies is in the saliva and the brain of an animal with rabies. • People and animals can get rabies if they are bitten by or get saliva in their eyes, nose, mouth or a wound from an animal infected with rabies.

7. Bats are SPECIAL • Bats are good for the environment. • They have very small teeth . • You might not even feel their bite. • Never touch or go near a bat! • Tell an adult if: • A bat gets very near you or touches you • You see a bat in a cabin or room • You see a bat on the ground or acting oddly Bat Bite

8. How does rabies make you sick? The virus travels along the nerves to the spinal cord and brain.

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

10. Even though any mammal can get rabies, some mammals are more likely to get rabies and those are....

11. Raccoons

12. Skunks

13. Foxes

14. Bats

15. Ground Hogs

16. Mammals that are LESS likely to give you rabies Squirrels Chipmunks Rats & Mice Rabbits & Bunnies

17. Can pets get rabies?What kinds of pets could get rabies?

18. Cats - especially stray or unvaccinated

19. Dogs - especially stray or unvaccinated

20. Other animals you may have that can get rabies Ferrets Horses Sheep Cows

21. Animals that CANNOT give you rabies Birds! Reptiles & Amphibians

22. How do you tell if an animal has rabies? Some animals may Act very mean Have problems walking Drool BUT………………

23. How do you tell if an animal has rabies? ….it’s important to remember that you can’t tell if an animal has rabies just by the way it’s acting. Animals that appear healthy may have rabies.

24. Rabies in Virginia • About 500 animals per year get rabies in Virginia. • Raccoons, foxes and skunks are the most common animals to get rabies. • Animals like bats, cats, cows, horses and dogs also get rabies.

25. The best way to prevent rabies (in pets and in people) is to make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies!!

26. Can rabies be STOPPED? YES!!!!!!!!! • Vaccinate your pets. • Stay away from stray animals. • Enjoy wildlife from a distance.

27. Can rabies be STOPPED? YES!!!!!!!!! • If you are bitten or scratched by an animal (and remember…bats are special): • Tell an adult (such as a parent or scout leader) immediately • Wash the wound out with soap and water • Call your doctor or local health department right away

28. Protect yourself and your pets • Have your veterinarian vaccinate your dogs and cats. • Ask your veterinarian about rabies vaccines that can be used in other animals. • Tell an adult if your pet is bitten by another animal and call your local animal control or health department right away. • Keep your pets from straying far away from your house.

29. Protect yourself and your pets • Help keep wildlife that can give you rabies away from your home by: • Keeping lids on trash cans • Storing pet food either inside your house or in closed containers outside • Feeding your pets inside or bringing their bowls in at night

30. Protect yourself and others • Never touch a stray or wild animal • Never adopt a wild animal as a pet • Don’t try to feed wild mammals • Always ask permission to touch someone else’s pet • Tell an adult if: • you see a wild or stray animal acting strangely • you see an animal that looks ill or injured and might need help

31. “Leave NO Trace!” • Practice good campsite safety • If possible, set up cooking, eating and supply area distant from your sleeping area • Keep sleeping bags and tents free of food, food odors and beverages • Keep a clean camp

32. Rabies Quiz ? ?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

33. Which of these animals can give you rabies?

34. DOGS?

35. DOGS? YES

36. RACOONS?

37. RACOONS? YES

38. SNAKES?

39. SNAKES? NO

40. CATS?

41. CATS? YES

42. RABBITS? (Hint: This one’s a little tricky.)

43. RABBITS? (Hint: This one’s a little tricky.) YES

44. True or False? Rabies is caused by a virus.

45. True or False? Rabies is caused by a virus. True!

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

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

48. True or False? The rabies virus affects the brain and spinal cord.

49. True or False? The rabies virus affects the brain and spinal cord. True!

50. True or False? If you are bitten by an animal, you should clean the wound right away.