Niagara County health officials say several people were exposed to the rabies virus by a kitten found in Cambria that exhibited aggressive biting and scratching behavior.
The kitten was located on Saunders Settlement Road between Diller Road and Fairview Drive in the Town of Cambria and due to its aggressive behavior, was examined by an Erie County veterinarian on Aug. 14. Due to signs of a potential neurological disorder, the decision was made to euthanize the kitten for rabies testing the next day. The Niagara County Department of Health submitted the kitten for testing to the NYSDOH Wadsworth Center, Griffin Laboratories on Wednesday and received confirmation of the positive result on Thursday.
Throughout the investigation, the county health officials identified several individuals who had direct physical contact with the animal for possible post-exposure rabies vaccination. Exposures occurred in the residence and at the veterinarian’s office. All exposed individuals have started post-exposure rabies prophylaxis.
Health officials said this case serves as an important reminder that even seemingly harmless domestic animals can contract rabies from contact with infected wildlife. Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are all common wildlife carriers of the rabies virus. A rabid animal can shed the virus through direct contact even before symptoms appear. Rabies can only be confirmed by submitting a laboratory sample.
County health officials had reported Thursday that a rabid raccoon was found in the Village of Wilson on Aug. 15. The raccoon exposed the virus to three dogs in their yard but they had recently received rabies vaccination boosters and were not required to be quarantined. There was no human exposure.
The Niagara County Department of Health conducts free rabies clinics throughout the year. Clinics are coming up at the Town of Lockport Highway Department on Sept. 13 and at the North Tonawanda Public Works Department on Dec. 6. Registration opens on the first business day of the week of the clinic date.
For further information on rabies or to report an animal bite or contact with wild animals, please call the Niagara County Department of Health Environmental Division at (716) 439-7444 or visit www.niagaracounty.gov/health.