Reports Of Rabies Up Across Oklahoma

Over the last week and a half, 10 people in Pottawatomie County alone have possible been exposed to the rabies virus.

And statewide records show 23 people were infected in the last four months compared to the 60 cases in all of 2011. Mike Richards spotted a raccoon acting strange in his neighborhood earlier this week.

"It started showing a bunch of teeth. It finally tried to stand up. It was kind of wobbly, shaky, real weak," said Richards.

Richards found the raccoon in the middle of the day, which is unusual since raccoons normally only come out at night. He called animal control officers who removed the raccoon and said it most likely had rabies.

"Rabid animals will often look or appear to be disoriented, not being able to really focus on anything, being lethargic and slow-moving," explained Todd Craighead with the Department of Wildlife Conservation in Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health's latest statistics show several counties across Oklahoma that have had at least one confirmed rabies case. Johnston and Pottawatomie counties each have two. And three confirmed cases were reported in Major and McClain counties. Since 1995, Pottawatomie County recorded the most rabies in the state.

In the last week and a half nearly a dozen people showed up at Unity Health Center in Shawnee for possible exposure to the virus.

"One was bitten or licked in the face by a puppy and we've had some that have been bitten by a skunk and both of them have turned up positive for rabies," said Registered Nurse Clida Byrum with Unity Health Center.

Byrum said a series of shots will normally treat an infected human, but without that treatment the disease becomes life-threatening.

"You're going to die," explained Byrum. "Once the brain has been infected, then there's usually nothing you can do."

Experts agree, however, that rabies is a preventable disease. They said it should be easy for people to avoid contracting the virus by taking precautions, like vaccinating pets and avoiding wildlife. They said Richards did everything right once he discovered the raccoon.

"My biggest deal was just to make sure that the kids stayed away from it," said Richards. "They hadn't messed with it. That they give it plenty of room."

The first thing medical professionals suggest you do if you suffer a bite is wash the area around the wound with soap and water for at least 10 minutes. Then you should call your county health department or the state health department. A representative will walk you through the exact steps you need to take to get treatment and preserve the animal for testing.