Marion Public Health is issuing an advisory to all citizens throughout the Marion City and County areas regarding any type of interaction or contact with wild animals. The health department has received several bite reports from people taking in wild animals.
Officials warn that wild animals should be avoided under any reasonable circumstances. Animals that appear to be alone are usually not and those who are may carry the deadly rabies virus.
Marion Public Health says animals that are rabid do not always drool or foam at the mouth nor are they always aggressive. Rather, it is most often characterized as an abnormal change in behavior followed by death. An animal may act overly friendly, restless or appear paralyzed or lame.
To protect yourself from the rabies virus avoid all animals you do not know, both domestic and wild and advise your children to let you know immediately if they have been bitten or otherwise exposed to an unfamiliar animal. If you must touch a dead animal wear gloves and dispose of the gloves after use.
If you are bitten, scratched, were asleep in the room with a bat, had an incapacitated person or child in the room with a bat, or have otherwise potentially been exposed thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water; then call your physician and follow his recommendations. Also, notify your local health department for proper quarantine or testing of the animal. If possible, detain the animal without damaging the head as the brain is necessary for testing.
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