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health department issues rabies precaution

COUNTY OF
Rich Fitzgerald
County Executive ALLEGHENY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2016 CONTACT: Amie M. Downs
412-327-3700 cell
Amie.Downs@AlleghenyCounty.us

Health Department Issues Rabies Precautions for Residents and Pet Owners

PITTSBURGH – On the evening of August 8, a coyote attacked an individual in Lincoln Borough. This morning, the animal was shot and killed by the Lincoln Borough Police Department. Employees of the Pennsylvania Game Commission transported the animal to the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) lab where it tested positive for rabies. All involved parties have been notified and the bite victim has already begun post-exposure treatment.

The Health Department is advising all residents to be cautious of stray and wild animals. Pet owners should also vaccinate their pets against rabies, and keep them away from stray and wild animals as well. Use caution when leaving your pet outdoors. Because coyotes are pack animals, there may be others which are infected.

Any individual who is bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to saliva from a stray or any other animal, should immediately cleanse the contact area with soap and water, seek emergency medical treatment and call the Allegheny County Health Department, 412-687-2243 (ACHD), to report the incident. When assisting a pet which has encountered wildlife or a stray animal, wear rubber gloves when handling your pet, cleanse any wounds with soap and water and take your pet to a veterinarian for examination.

Rabies is a virus transmitted by an animal bite or scratch. It is almost always fatal when left untreated. However, the rabies vaccine is highly effective when given promptly after an exposure. The best prevention is to avoid stray animals, wild animals, or those acting strangely.

This is the seventh rabid animal reported in Allegheny County this year.

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Karen Hacker, MD, MPH, Director
Allegheny County Health Department – Public Information Office
542 Fourth Avenue • Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone (412) 687-ACHD • Fax (412) 578-8325 • www.achd.net

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??? DID YOU KNOW ???
The cost of the street light bill?	$73,715 per year
The cost of the trash per household?	$150.24 per household for 2014
The cost of recycling per household?	$28.80 per household for 2014
Alcosan is raising the fee they charge municipalities	17% in 2014, 11% in 2015, 11% in 2016, and 11% in 2017

Facts You Should Know About Wilkins Township
Area of Wilkins: 2.75 sq. miles
Miles of Streets: 26 road miles
2010 Population: 6,565
Assessed Valuation (4/26/2013): $435,043,900
Township Tax Rate: 5.674 Mills
Woodland Hills School District Tax Rate: 25.35 Mills
County Tax Rate: 4.73 Mills