Animal Bites

Rabies

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected mammals and is transmitted to pets and humans by bites, or possibly by contamination of an open cut with saliva. Because there is no cure, treatment is critical for a person who has been infected by rabies. In Wisconsin, skunks and bats are the most likely animals to carry the rabies virus, although rabies has occurred in dogs, cats, foxes, raccoons and livestock.

Health Department’s Role

Iowa County Health Department works collaboratively with local veterinarians, law enforcement, health care providers, the State Lab of Hygiene, the victim of an animal bite and animal owner, to ensure completion of post-exposure follow-up of all reported animal bites in Iowa County. Follow-up includes observation or testing of the biting animal and coordination of possible treatment of the victim.

Bitten or scratched by an animal?

1. Immediately cleanse the animal bite or scratch wounds with liberal amounts of soap and water for 10-15 minutes.
2. Report the bite to the Iowa County Sheriff's Office at 608-930-9500 and provide as much detail as possible about the incident (what, when, where, and how the incident happened). Share the owner’s name, phone number, and information about the animal, when possible. Do not release or destroy a biting animal until a public health official or an animal control officer is consulted. The victim's physician should also be notified promptly. 

Wisconsin Statute 95.21

Wisconsin Statute 95.21 “Rabies Control Program” requires that a dog or cat which has bitten a person must be delivered to a veterinarian within 24 hours after being contacted by the law enforcement agency or health department for examination and quarantine of not less than 10 days at the expense of the owner.

If the animal is currently immunized against rabies as evidenced by a valid vaccination certificate, the animal may be quarantined on the premises of the owner, following initial examination by a veterinarian.

If no valid evidence of vaccination can be displayed, the dog or cat will be impounded by the veterinarian or at an isolation facility for at least 10 days at the owner’s expense.

On or after the 10th day, a final examination will be conducted by a veterinarian who will complete the veterinarian’s certificate. The signed certificate must be returned to the ICHD.

Potential exposures to wild animals?

1. If the incident was from a wild animal, try to contain the animal while taking precautions to prevent any additional bites or exposure to saliva. 
2. If it is a bat exposure, contact the Health Department at 608-930-9870 for guidance.
3. Exposure to any other animal, contact the Iowa County Sheriff's Office at 608-930-9500.

Prevention:

• Eliminate stray dogs and cats and enforce leash laws.
• Vaccinate pet dogs, cats, ferrets, and livestock against rabies. Dogs and cats should be vaccinated by a vet or vet technician once they reach the appropriate age (typically 4 months of age) and be revaccinated within 1 to 3 years (vaccine costs around $15-$60).
• Stay away from all wild animals, especially those acting abnormally.
• Teach your children not to approach any unfamiliar animals.
• Do not keep exotic or wild animals as pets, regardless of how young or cute they are.
• Exclude bats from living quarters by keeping screens in good repair and by closing any small openings that could allow them to enter.
• Persons traveling to developing countries in which rabies is highly prevalent, or persons who are at ongoing risk of possible rabies exposure (e.g., veterinarians, animal control officers), should ask their doctor about receiving the PRE-exposure rabies vaccinations.

For more information:

• Department of Health Services (DHS) Rabies fact sheet, P-42081
• Wisconsin Rabies Prevention flowchart (Rabies algorithm)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Rabies
• Rabies Data

Report Sick or Dead Wildlife

If you find a dead animal, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website for instructions. The DNR has disease monitoring programs for specific wildlife species. If you are told to dispose of a dead animal, do not touch it with your bare hands. Wear gloves or an inverted plastic bag and either bury the carcass on your property or double bag it and place it in your trash. Wash your hands after disposing of the carcass.