FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. — A black cat found in Frederick County has tested positive for rabies and now health officials are warning anyone who may have had contact with the animal.
The cat was found on Talbot Run Road near Black Ankle Road and has been quarantined at Frederick County Animal Control since Monday. Health officials say the cat tested positive for rabies after developing neurological signs.
The black, domestic shorthair is described as being an intact male cat around 4 years old with deformed teeth from an injury.
The Frederick County Health Department is recommending anyone who may have had contact with the cat between Jan. 22 and Feb. 5 to consult their health care provider and notify the FCHD's Community Health Services Office at (301) 600-3342. If any pets had contact with the cat, consult with your veterinarian and notify the FCHD’s Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717.
The beginning symptoms of the rabies virus are similar to flu symptoms and may last for days, according to the Mayo Clinic.
WHO reports there are two different forms of the disease, Furious rabies and Paralytic rabies.
Symptoms of furious rabies can include:
- Hyperactivity
- Excitable behavior
- Hydrophobia (the fear of water)
- Aerophobia (the fear of drafts or of fresh air)
Paralytic rabies accounts for about 20% of the total number of human cases. WHO says this form of rabies "runs a less dramatic and usually longer course" than the other form.
Symptoms of paralytic rabies can include muscles gradually becoming paralyzed and a slowly developing coma. WHO says this form of rabies is often misdiagnosed and contributes to the under-reporting of the disease.
Later signs and symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive salivation
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Partial paralysis
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