Horse Tests Positive for Rabies on Lawyersville Road in the Town of Cobleskill

In the Town of Cobleskill, in the area of Lawyersville Road, a horse has tested positive for  rabies. The horse was sent to Wadsworth Laboratory for testing and the positive test results were  received by Schoharie County Department of Health on Friday, January 5, 2024. 

Once infected, rabies is a virus that has a 100% fatality rate in mammals (including humans) when left untreated. The following precautions will help protect your family and pets from  rabies: 

• Vaccinate pets! New York State law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be  vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age. Vaccinating your domestic animal not  only provides protection for the animal, but vaccinated pets act as a barrier to keep the  rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people. 

• Vaccination is also recommended for livestock with frequent human contact. • Report any sick or strange acting wildlife. 

• Do not feed wildlife or stray animals and discourage them from seeking food near your  home. 

• Do not feed strays. According to Public Health Law, an owner is defined as any person  keeping, harboring, or having charge or control of or permitting any dog, cat or  domesticated ferret to remain on or be lodged or fed within such person’s house yard or  premises. 

• Do not approach an unknown animal, either wild or domestic, especially if it is acting in  a strange or unusual manner. 

• Report all animal bites and any contact with bats to the Health Department in your  county. Human rabies can be prevented after exposure by administering a series of shots. 

• Keep garbage cans tightly covered and avoid storing any food outside. 

• Children should be instructed to tell an adult immediately if they were bitten or scratched  by any animal. 

• If an unvaccinated pet comes in contact with a wild or domestic animal that may have  rabies, the pet must be quarantined for six months, at the expense of the owner. 

• If a vaccinated pet comes in contact with a wild or domestic animal that may have rabies,  the pet must be given a booster rabies vaccination within five days of the contact. 

If you believe that you may have had contact with any rabid animal, suspect a rabid animal, or if  you have any other questions, call Schoharie County Public Health at 518-295-8365.