A rabid stray cat was taken in by a family in the Kortright-Stamford area, Bonnie Hamilton, Delaware County Public Health director, said Friday.
After taking the cat into the house, residents determined the cat was ill, so it was taken to a veterinary office where it began to show signs of neurological problems before dying.
Hamilton said the cat died Monday and was confirmed to have rabies through laboratory testing.
"This is the first confirmed rabid cat we have had in years," Hamilton said. "We have tested numerous strays in the past, but they have always been negative."
Hamilton said the lab indicated the cat died of a strain of rabies common in bats and raccoons.
"As much as people love cats, they should not take strays into the house and they shouldn't feed stray cats, because there is a danger of exposing themselves and their other pets to rabies," Hamilton said.
Rabies spreads through saliva, bites and scratches.
In 2008, there were 498 reports of rabid animals statewide. While New York has not seen a human rabies case since 2000, more than 2,800 people received treatment for exposure to rabies last year, according to a state Department of Health media release.
The rabies virus can infect any mammal, including dogs, cats, livestock and humans. The vast majority of rabies cases reported each year occur in wild animals, such as raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes, but domestic animals such as cats, dogs, ferrets and horses can become infected.
The best way to prevent rabies in pets is to make sure their rabies vaccinations are up to date. Free rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets are offered periodically through county health departments. Individuals should contact their local health department for clinic dates and locations.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
