Animal Bites/Rabies

What types of services are offered through the Scott County Health Department Animal Bite 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 healthcare providers to determine the risk of rabies, and the need for the rabies' shots, after a bite has occurred.
  • Contracts with the Humane Society of Scott County to answer questions about animal control issues in rural Scott County: barking, harassment by animals, animals at large, etc.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease that affects the brain and central nervous system that is caused by a virus found in infected mammals. Only mammals can get rabies, which includes humans. Rabies is a 100% fatal illness if left untreated, but it is also 100% preventable if post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is given appropriately, before symptoms begin. 

How is rabies spread?

Rabies is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected (rabid) animal. It is also possible to become infected through scratches or 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 to pets, it is important to have them vaccinated against rabies. In the event of a potential exposure, it is important to know the animal’s vaccination status if possible. 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.
  • If the animal that bit you was not your own pet, ask the owner for proof that the animal is up to date on their rabies vaccination.
  • If you can do so safely, confine the animal (bats in particular) and contact the Humane Society of Scott County. In some situations, and in consultation with a veterinarian, observing an animal may be a reasonable alternative to rabies testing. 

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. Bats can transmit rabies in the absence of a bite, through saliva entering open cuts or through mucous membranes. If you are bitten by a bat, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water 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 if possible and call Animal Protection Services at 563-388-6655 option 2 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:

To safely capture a bat:

  1. Find a container (box, jar, etc.) large enough for the bat to fit in.
  2. Find a piece of cardboard large enough to cover the container opening.
  3. Punch small air holes in the cardboard. 
  4. Put on leather work gloves.
  5. Approach the bat slowly and put the container over it.
  6. Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside.
  7. Tape the cardboard to the container to secure the bat inside.

To prevent rabies exposure:

  • Vaccinate all pets against rabies. The Humane Society of Scott County offers vaccine clinics periodically; check their schedule here: https://hssc.us/microchip%2Fvaccine-clinics. 
  • Avoid contact with all wild animals and stray animals.
  • Do not keep wild animals as pets.

Where can I learn more about rabies?

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

Additional Rabies Resources

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