Rabid Cats

NORRIDGEWOCK
Rabid
feline
exposes
family

By ALAN CROWELL
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 11/08/2007

NORRIDGEWOCK -- Two children and their mother are undergoing vaccinations for rabies after they were exposed to the virus by an infected cat over the weekend.

The family lives on the Martin Stream Road. They were bitten or otherwise exposed after allowing the cat into their house during a torrential rainstorm on Saturday. The cat had belonged to a neighbor.

It was the second time this year a rabid cat has bitten people in Norridgewock.

An elderly woman was bitten by a stray cat in the area of the Sandy River Road in August.

State and town officials said Wednesday that they are working to ensure people are aware of the problem and that all pets are vaccinated.

Megan Kelley, field epidemiologist for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said the fact that two rabid cats have bitten people in Norridgewock within a few months is cause for concern.

"The thing about a cat is it is a friendly, domestic animal and people want to pat it and people want to befriend it," said Kelley.

There is also a real possibility that other animals could have the deadly virus, she said.

"The rule of thumb is that for every case you identify, that is the tip of the iceberg," said Kelley.

Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal if a series of shots is not administered before symptoms develop.

It is not unusual for wild animals to have the disease -- between 50 and 150 wild animals in Maine test positive each year -- but it is much more rare among domesticated animals.

Kelley said state officials will work with town officials to educate people about rabies and what steps they can take to protect themselves. She said they will also discuss making rabies vaccinations available at low cost.

The virus that infected the cat will be studied to determine if it is the strain normally associated with bats or with raccoons -- the two most common types in Maine.

That information could help state officials determine how best to deal with the problem.

In the meantime, town officials say they are doing everything they can to make sure people are taking precautions.

Kathleen Ross, animal control officer for six towns, including Norridgewock, said Wednesday that she is warning people in the area where the exposures took place.

She said everyone should keep a close eye on their animals and their children, and warn children not to approach animals that don't belong to them.

Pet owners should also make sure that both dogs and cats are vaccinated.

Most people understand that state law requires dogs to have rabies shots, she said, but many people don't know that the same holds true for cats.

Ross said she also hopes to work with schools in the area to educate children about the dangers of rabies.

Norridgewock Town Manager John Doucette said Wednesday afternoon that his emphasis is to make sure people know they need to get their pets vaccinated.

He said it is fortunate the mother of the children acted appropriately after the bites.

"If this parent wasn't concerned and didn't worry about it ... what would have happened?" he asked.

Alan Crowell -- 474-9534, Ext. 342

acrowell@centralmaine.com