Rabies

Rabies
Question	Answer
Example
Can I still use the animal	No
Commonly infected wildlife	Bats, Any Mammal
Is this animal infected	Rabies can occur in any mammal, e.g., bats and skunks Infected animals may be found dead, are weak, or show unusual behavior Behavior changes are not always obvious
Can I get it	Yes From the bite or scratch of an infected animal From saliva of infected animals that touches your eyes, nose, mouth, or skin wounds
How bad can it get	Rabies is serious. Seek treatment as soon as possible if bitten by a wild animal
How can I protect myself and others	Any animal that shows unusual behavior should not be approached DO NOT TOUCH Contact The North Dakota Game and Fish Department or State Department of Health
Symptoms in humans	RABIES IS FATAL once symptoms appear Rabies can be prevented if treatment is given before symptoms appear Symptoms can take a long time to develop and may include pain, tingling or itching near exposure site IF BITTEN OR SCRATCHED BY A WILD ANIMAL: Clean and flush wound with soap and warm water Seek medical attention immediately Report bites according to state and local guidelines
Is it safe for pets	No - Talk to your veterinarian about vaccines
What causes it	A virus of the family Rhabdoviridae Rabies testing requires brain tissue – avoid head shots to kill suspect animals