www.harfordcountyhealth.

com












NEWS RELEASE 14:22


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 17, 2014
Contact: Bill Wiseman, Public Information Officer, 410-612-1771


HARFORD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES WORLD RABIES DAY

Bel Air, MD September 17, 2014 For the seventh consecutive year, The Harford County Health
Department will be partnering with Global Alliance for Rabies Control, and 4 Paws Spa and Training Center,
Inc. to recognize the importance of World Rabies Day and by offering a very low cost rabies vaccination
clinic.

Although World Rabies Day is formally recognized on September 28
th
, the Harford County Health
Department is conducting the clinic on Saturday, September 27
th
from 1:00-4:00 pm to provide greater public
accessibility to the event. The event will take place at the 4 Paws Spa and Training Center facility located at
121 A Industry Lane in the Forest Hill. Upon entering the airpark, signs will direct the public to the clinic.

We are delighted that this important partnership with the Health Department has been maintained
and the low cost rabies vaccinations can be provided, says Robin Greenwood, owner, 4 Paws Spa and
Training, Inc. Veterinarians at the Health Department-sponsored clinic will vaccinate dogs, cats, and ferrets
for the very low cost of $5.00 per animal. Dog, cat, and ferret owners who wish to protect their pets from this
dreaded disease are invited to participate and take advantage of this service. In addition to the vaccinations,
information will be available, as well as $3.00 off on wash and dry self-service for pet owners through 4
Paws Spa and Training Center, Inc.

Health Officer, Susan Kelly reminds the public that Maryland law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets
are vaccinated against rabies, and further stresses the importance to pet owners of protecting their pets
against this deadly viral disease. States Ms. Kelly, We cannot afford to let our guard down since the rabies
virus is ever-present in wildlife, which can expose our pets and possibly our family members. Having a
current rabies vaccination can eliminate the need for your pet to be euthanized or endure a very difficult six
month isolation period should it have contact with known rabies vectors like raccoons, foxes, and bats.


The impact of rabies on public health is prevalent:
55,000 deaths annually occur worldwide, equaling approximately one person every ten
minutes.
Approximately 7,000 cases of animal rabies are reported annually in the U.S. These
animals, mostly wildlife, can expose humans or pets to rabies.
1-3 cases of human rabies are reported in the U.S. per year.


HARFORD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
___________________________________________________________

120 S. Hays Street P.O. Box 797 Bel Air, Maryland 21014-0797



Susan C. Kelly, EHS
Health Officer

Russell W. Moy, MD, MPH
Deputy Health Officer

www.harfordcountyhealth.com

2

Every year, an estimated 30,000-40,000 U.S. residents are potentially exposed to rabies,
requiring costly and uncomfortable human rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. Post
exposure treatment requires administration of Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) and
four vaccinations over the course of two weeks, costs of which might not be covered by
health insurance.
Early in 2013, a Maryland man became the states first fatal case of rabies in nearly 40
years, having contracted the infection from a kidney transplant.
Prior to this, the last reported case of human rabies in Maryland was in 1976 as the result
of an exposure to an infected bat.

Locally, between January 1st and September 1st of this year, the Health Department has
identified 13 rabies positive animals, including 9 raccoons 3 foxes, and 1 bat.

In addition to the low cost rabies vaccination the Health Department will be offering important public
health information that includes Lyme disease awareness, and Emergency Preparedness and Planning for
pet owners. Stop by and enter a drawing to win a free bottle of Permethrin which can be used to help protect
from Lyme disease.

For more information about this event or this topic, visit www.harfordcountyhealth.com or contact the
Harford County Health Department, Rabies and Vector Control Program at 410-877-2315. Other online
informational resources include: www.harfordcountyhealth.com/rabies,
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Epidemiology/Epidemiology.htm#Wild%20Animals and
www.worldrabiesday.org.


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