The Animal Rescue League of Berks County was notified yesterday that a kitten found by a resident in Wyomissing tested positive for rabies.
The brown tabby and white domestic shorthair kitten was found on Hill Avenue in the Wyomissing Borough and brought into the ARL by the finder on Saturday, July 26.
The ARL is currently working with the Wyomissing Borough officials and the Pennsylvania Department of Health to assess the exposure to all individuals involved.
“The clinical signs shown by the kitten, along with the history of human contact, prompted us to send the case for lab results,” said Dr. Sarah Rivera, Chief Medical Officer of the ARL. “Upon receiving the positive result, we have been in contact with the finder, the Department of Health, and the borough to ensure that all parties involved get the proper treatment as advised.”
According to the CDC, rabies is a neurological virus that infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death in 99.9% of human cases if left untreated. Although 90% of reported cases of rabies in animals occur in wildlife–mainly skunks, raccoons, bats, coyotes, and foxes–the virus can be transmitted to dogs, cats, and cattle who have not received vaccination.
“The most important thing you can do to protect your pet is ensure that they are up to date on their rabies vaccines,” said Dr. Sarah Rivera. “If an owner suspects their pet was bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, even if vaccinated, they should seek immediate veterinary care.”
Common symptoms of rabies in animals include general sickness, problems swallowing, excessive drool or saliva, an animal who bites at everything, an animal who appears tamer than you would expect, an animal who is having trouble moving or may be paralyzed, or a bat that is on the ground. (Source: CDC)
For humans who have been exposed to rabies, the incubation period could last for weeks to months and may vary based on how far the exposure location is from the brain. Common symptoms of rabies in humans include discomfort or a prickling or itching sensation at the site of the bite, progressing within days to acute symptoms of cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation. As the disease progresses, the person may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and insomnia.
The ARL advises that if anyone suspects an animal is infected with rabies, they should call the animal control provider of their municipality or the local police department and do not approach the animal by any means.
The ARL is the contracted animal control provider for Wyomissing.
