By Bailey Arredondo Syracuse, N.Y. (N-C-C News) – Three Dewitt residents have been tested positive for rabies after being bitten by a fox.
The fox counts as the fifth case of rabies found in Onondaga county animals this year. Patients seeking treatment for rabies must be cautious because not all hospitals or care centers carry the vaccines needed.
An infection control nurse at Syracuse Upstate Hospital says patients who come in with bites must be monitored with appropriate injections.
“When they come here for a bite, we don’t know a hundred percent if its rabies or not but our community campus handles them,” the infection nurse said. “They will come for the vaccines and the county monitors these bites and makes sure people come back for all three doses.”
The rabies virus infects the central nervous system and can ultimately lead to death. Not all medical centers have the resources to treat the disease.
“Not a lot of places keep the vaccine because it doesn’t have a long shelf life. Thats why most of our bites will come to our ED and get the vaccine and they have to come back every week,” said the infection nurse.
If you believe you have been harmfully bitten, immediately visit your local hospital or medical center’s emergency department.
