The potential cost of handling wildlife and unknown animals is high, warns the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department.

A recent increase in reports of animal bites, two raccoons testing positive for rabies, and a number of raccoons and other animals that had to be euthanized for testing due to human contact has prompted the department to issue another warning about, bats, handling wildlife, stray cats and dogs, and other animals that can carry rabies.

A statement from the Public Health Department explains that rabies is a disease that affects the brain and central nervous system. The rabies virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is usually transmitted to people and other animals when they are bitten or scratched by the rabid animal. An animal may be infected with rabies for a long time before it shows symptoms, anywhere from two weeks to many months. The usual incubation period is two to three weeks.

In addition to the “cost “ of the animal’s life, it may be necessary for a person that has been bitten or scratched to get rabies post exposure shots. These post-exposure vaccinations series can cost $2,000 or more per person and that doesn’t include the cost of a doctor’s visit or a trip to the emergency room. If left untreated, rabies is fatal to humans and animals.

Raccoons, bats, coyotes, foxes, and skunks are considered high-risk species for transmitting the rabies virus. By comparison, cats and dogs are considered low-risk since most are routinely vaccinated for rabies.

In the past few months vaccination treatment for possible rabies exposure had to be provided to residents when they were bitten by wildlife and then the wildlife was let go so there wasn’t a specimen to test, according to the Public Health Department statement. The county must pay for animals to be tested and for post-exposure treatment. The cost for submitting an animal for rabies testing is $60 to $75.

The department again is asking the public not to handle wildlife and animals unknown to them.

“We understand that individuals are well meaning but well-meant acts of kindness tend to have the opposite result. Most people quickly find they don’t really know how to care for or can’t care for young wildlife. By rescuing the wildlife you can be exposing yourself, family or friends to the unpredictability of the animal and you can be bitten because it is their only defense. Sadly, many of the animals that are ‘rescued’ soon die despite their best efforts.”

Another problem in the county is the high number of dog bites being reported. Under New York State law dog bites must be reported and the dog’s rabies vaccination verified. Unvaccinated dogs that bite a human are required to be confined for 10 days, at the owner’s expense, to determine if the dog shows signs of rabies Dog owners are encouraged to keep their dogs under control and make sure their rabies vaccination is up to date.

Rabies in cats appears to be a growing problem, according to the latest statistics from the Wadsworth Center's Rabies Laboratory. Cats are likely to roam and hunt, coming into contact with wild animals, increasing the chance of rabies exposure. An unspayed and unchecked stray cat can have many litters of kittens over its lifetime — up to three litters per year. Colonies of feral cats -- stray cats that may have wandered from home or been abandoned -- and unvaccinated cats that are allowed to roam free are all potential sources of rabies. Rabid cats can be very aggressive. Unlike many wild animals, they frequently come into contact with humans. They seek out food sources in backyards and people often leave out food and water for them. Because the "neighborhood stray" is not considered a wild animal, people tend not to keep a healthy distance, further increasing the potential for attacks and rabies exposure.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It kills almost any mammal or human that contracts it. Rabies can occur at any time during the year but with the warmer weather wildlife activity increases, and the risk of exposure to rabies can also increase.

The Public Health Department lists these ways to protect your family and your [pets against rabies:

• Do not feed wild animals. You may be putting your family in danger.

• Warn your children to stay away from wild or stray animals.

• Do not keep wildlife as pets. It is against the law and it greatly increases your risk of getting rabies.

• Do not trap and transport wild animals to a new location. It’s illegal and you could be spreading diseases.

• Take measures to discourage wild animals from taking up residence in your home or on your property. For example, cover up potential entrances, such as uncapped chimneys, loose shingles, and openings in attics, roofs and eaves. You may want to contact a professional for advice.

Wild animals need to be left in the wild unless they can be cared for by a trained licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Intervention by well intentioned nonprofessionals is dangerous to the animal and the rescuer.

Questions about rabies or possible exposures may be called to the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department at 386-2325.