What is Rabies?
Rabies is a deadly but 100% preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.
The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms. (cdc.gov/rabies)
Frequently Requested Information
- FREE Rabies Clinic Cats, Dogs & Ferrets
- Which pets need rabies vaccine and how often do they need it?
- Animals that Tested Positive for Rabies (Erie County)
- Map: Rabid Animals Detected in Erie County 2007-2016 (By Type of Animal)
- Map: Rabid Animals Detected in Erie County 2007-2016 (By Year)
- Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) Program
- Consumer Cost of Rabies Vaccine Outside of Public Health
Related Press Releases
- Press Release 02/05/19: Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic Set for February 27, 2019
- Press Release 01/04/19: Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic Set for January 30, 2019
- Press Release 03/27/18: Dates for May & September Rabies Clinics; Hugely Popular Program Vaccinates Dogs, Cats & Ferrets for Free!
- Press Release 12/08/17: Free January Rabies Vaccination Clinic; ECDOH Vaccinated 4,496 Pets at Six Clinics in 2017
- Press Release 10/30/17: 4,496 Pets Receive Rabies Vaccinations in 2017; Effort Aids in Effectively Reducing Risk of Transmission of Rabies in Erie County
Wildlife Control
- A list of licensed Wildlife Control Officers is available from here or call the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation at 716-851-7000.
- There is a bat in my house. What should I do?
Educational Materials
- Bats
- Brochure - Rabies General Information
- Rabies Facts
- Rabies Prevention Policy
- Video - How to Safely Capture a Bat
Related Programs
Contact
Division of Environmental Health
ECDOH Building
503 Kensington Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14214
Map of Campus
Phone: 716-961-6800 (For Emergencies after regular business hours: 716-961-7898)
Fax: 716-961-6880
Area Served: Erie County, NY