Animal Bites, Scratches and Stings
If you are bitten, scratched or stung by an animal (including household pets), contact your healthcare provider, 911, a nurse helpline or go to the nearest urgent care/emergency room. This is especially important if you are traveling out of the country.
In many cases, you can treat the injury at home. However, antibiotics, stitches, antivenom, Tetanus (Tdap) or rabies vaccination may be appropriate. A medical professional can help you decide what to do.
In many cases, you can treat the injury at home. However, antibiotics, stitches, antivenom, Tetanus (Tdap) or rabies vaccination may be appropriate. A medical professional can help you decide what to do.
Rabies Prevention and Treatment
Rabies can be transmitted from animals to humans or animal to animal. Although rare, rabies is a concern in the United States.
In Washington State, it is encouraged that household pets be vaccinated against rabies. Livestock may need to be vaccinated if they are often in close contact with humans. Talk to your veterinarian about the best rabies vaccination schedule for your pets. Preventive vaccine for animals can prevent the need for people to undergo rabies vaccination if bitten.
Most rabies cases in the United States are from bats but other mammals can also be infected with rabies. If you are bitten by a wild animal, contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room.
Worldwide, dog bites are the most common cause of human rabies. If you are traveling out of the county, talk with your healthcare provider before you go to assess your risk for rabies.
When to seek medical care
If you are bitten by an animal, you may be encouraged to undergo post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP to prevent rabies. The modern vaccine series of 5 shots over 14 days should be started as soon as possible if there was a possible rabies exposure.
Over 50,000 people undergo PEP each year in the United States. PEP and the routine vaccination of household pets has resulted in very few rabies deaths in people in the United States. Rabies kills about 60,000 people worldwide each year.
In Washington State, it is encouraged that household pets be vaccinated against rabies. Livestock may need to be vaccinated if they are often in close contact with humans. Talk to your veterinarian about the best rabies vaccination schedule for your pets. Preventive vaccine for animals can prevent the need for people to undergo rabies vaccination if bitten.
Most rabies cases in the United States are from bats but other mammals can also be infected with rabies. If you are bitten by a wild animal, contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room.
Worldwide, dog bites are the most common cause of human rabies. If you are traveling out of the county, talk with your healthcare provider before you go to assess your risk for rabies.
When to seek medical care
If you are bitten by an animal, you may be encouraged to undergo post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP to prevent rabies. The modern vaccine series of 5 shots over 14 days should be started as soon as possible if there was a possible rabies exposure.
Over 50,000 people undergo PEP each year in the United States. PEP and the routine vaccination of household pets has resulted in very few rabies deaths in people in the United States. Rabies kills about 60,000 people worldwide each year.
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Asotin County Public Health leads the community through education and evidence-based practices to prevent illness, promote health, and protect the environment to improve the quality of life in our communities.