Modified: October 30, 2017 5:17pm
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PRESS RELEASE
From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein
Date: October 30, 2017
CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov
Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925
4,496 Pets Receive Rabies Vaccinations in 2017
Effort Aids in Effectively Reducing Risk of Transmission of Rabies in Erie County
ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”), in collaboration with the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, the Medaille College Veterinary Technology program, the SPCA serving Erie County and SMART (Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team) volunteers, offered six free rabies vaccination clinics in 2017, and vaccinated 4,496 animals. This joint effort helps ensure the health and safety of pet dogs, cats and ferrets in Erie County as well as owner compliance with New York State law that requires rabies vaccinations for all cats, dogs and domesticated ferrets no later than four months after birth.
“Our Environmental Health Vector Control team and our volunteers are to be commended for their efforts at our highly efficient and productive rabies clinics. Rabies remains a public health concern as it is nearly always fatal once symptoms develop,” stated Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health.
Our annual vaccination clinics, routine summer rabies baiting program and ongoing public education are vital to decrease the incidents and risk of exposure in Erie County,” said Peter Tripi, Senior Public Health Sanitarian. “All pet dogs and cats, as well as outdoor or “barn cats” must be vaccinated for the safety of both the public and their families. Any pet can become infected if it is not vaccinated and comes in contact with a rabid animal.” As a reminder, farm livestock should also be vaccinated as they are also at risk of contracting rabies.
The next free rabies vaccination clinic will be in January 2018. Detailed information will be available on our website and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ecdoh) in late December
For more information:
Erie County Department of Health
New York State Department of Health
Medaille College Veterinary Technology Program
Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society
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