Animal Bites/Rabies

What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease that affects the brain and is caused by a virus. Rabies is a 100% fatal illness if left untreated, but it is also 100% preventable. 

How is rabies spread?

Rabies is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected (rabid) animal. It is also possible to become infected if the saliva of the infected animal gets directly into an open cut or wound, the eyes, mouth, or nose.

What kind of animals spread rabies?

Any mammal, wild or domestic, can carry the rabies virus. Wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes are much more likely to carry rabies. However, pets or farm animals such as dogs, cats, cattle, or horses can pass rabies on to people as well. To prevent the spread of rabies many pets such as dogs, cats, and ferrets are vaccinated for the disease. If there is ever a bite exposure, if possible, it will be important to know the animal’s vaccination status. Animals that never go outside, and those that are vaccinated, are at very little risk for rabies, but any animal can be infected with rabies if exposed to another infected animal.

What should you do if you are bitten?

• Wash the wound immediately with soap and water for several minutes to remove any germs.
• Visit a healthcare provider right away. Talk with them about the type of animal that bit you and where you were bitten. They will determine if you need the rabies vaccine, wound care, and/or a tetanus shot.
• Report the bite to the Humane Society of Scott County at 563-388-6655.

Is there a special concern about bats and rabies?

YES. Most rabies cases reported in Iowa are caused by the rabies virus carried by bats. If you are bitten by a bat, wash the area and contact your doctor. Bats' teeth are so small, that a person may not realize they were bitten. Seek medical care if:

• You wake up to a bat in your room.
• A bat is found in the same room with a child, person with dementia, mental challenges, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
• You cannot say with 100% certainty "I know I was not bitten".

If you or someone in your home may have been exposed, safely contain the bat and call Animal Protection Services at 563-388-6655 to remove the bat from your home and send it in for rabies testing.

To learn more about what to do in situations involving bats please visit:

• https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html 
• Frequently Asked Questions about Bats & Rabies | Iowa HHS - English or Spanish

Where can I learn more about rabies?

• Centers for Disease Control-National Center for Infectious Disease: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html
• Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Rabies: https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/animal-safety-and-disease-prevention/rabies
• Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Epi Manual - Rabies: https://hhs.iowa.gov/public-health/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/epi-manual/reportable-diseases/rabies
• CDC Bat Information: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html

Where can I learn about state and local codes and ordinances for animal bites/rabies?

• State of Iowa Code, Chapter 351, Dogs and Other Animals: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2016/351.pdf
• Scott County Code, Chapter 34, Animal Control
• Davenport Municipal Code, Chapter 6.04.040, Animals, Rabies Vaccination and Reporting: https://ecode360.com/35584117

What types of services are offered through the Scott County Health Department Animal Bite Investigation and Control Program?

The Scott County Health Department:

• Works with the Humane Society of Scott County to investigate all animal bites in Scott County
• Works with patients and physicians to determine the risk of rabies, and the need for the rabies' shots, after a bite has occurred
• Contracts with Humane Society of Scott County to answer questions about animal control issues in rural Scott County: barking, harassment by animals, animals at large, etc.

Additional Rabies Resources

• Rabies Information for Health Professionals
• SCHD Animal Bites and Rabies Brochure