EDMESTON _ The Otsego County Department of Health has reported that a raccoon tested positive for rabies Friday.
The raccoon attacked and mauled a cat on the porch of a home in the Stevens Road area of the town of Edmeston. A resident at the address shot the 'coon, a neighbor said.
Department of Health officials said other residents were exposed to the raccoon's saliva immediately after the attack. The cat, which was not current with its rabies vaccine, was given a rabies vaccine booster and placed in a six-month quarantine.
Rabies is a fatal viral infection that can be transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or contact with saliva to broken skin or mucus membranes.
When there is an exposure to an animal that may be rabid, the animal should be sent for rabies testing, officials said, adding that people should stay away from any stray or wild animals and instruct their children to do the same.
State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies.
If an unvaccinated pet or one that's overdue for its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must be euthanized, or with the Department of Health's approval, strictly quarantined for six months. Pets up to date with rabies vaccinations should be given a rabies booster vaccine within five days of exposure.
For more information regarding rabies, call the Otsego County Department of Health at 547-4230.
Union rally today
NORWICH _ A unity rally in support of the Norwich Educators Organization will be held at 3:45 p.m. today in Norwich.
The event will be at the Perry Brown Elementary gymnasium on Beebe Avenue in Norwich, according to a media release from the union representing them.
NYSUT secretary treasurer Lee Cutler will be speaking to members of the teachers union that has been working for 13 months without a contract, the release said.
