Public Health Information

PRESS RELEASE CONTACT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Public Information Office April 7, 2010 603-271-6526 DHHS Cautions Public About Rabies Concord, NH – With the warmer weather, people will be spending more time outside, as will animals. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is advising the public to take precautions against rabies. It is estimated that every year 30,000–40,000 US residents are potentially exposed to rabies requiring human rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (rabies preventive medication). Furthermore, each year more than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by animals, resulting in over $100 million in emergency room visits. Fifty percent of those bitten are under the age of 12. Rabies is the most deadly human disease, yet it is preventable. Rabies is caused by a virus that animals and people can get through certain exposures to saliva or nervous system tissue from a rabid animal. It is virtually always fatal without proper post-exposure treatment. In 2008, 6,841 cases of rabies in animals and 2 human cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Typically there are 1 to 2 human cases of rabies reported every year in the United States. At the turn of the twentieth century, more than 100 human deaths a year were reported in the U.S. The dramatic decrease is due to modern-day prophylaxis, which has proven nearly 100% effective. In New Hampshire, there were 35 animals found positive for rabies in 2009, which is a decrease from 58 in 2008. “While rabies is a very serious disease, it is preventable and we want everyone to learn some simple prevention steps,” said Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health at DHHS. “The most important thing for people to remember is to avoid contact with wild animals, even baby animals, especially if they seem tame and unafraid because they may be ill. If you encounter a wild animal that seems ill, contact your local animal control or town health officer and do not go near it. It is also important that people vaccinate their dogs, cats, ferrets, and any other animal that has regular contact with humans, such as horses.” Some other steps to take to reduce the spread of rabies and exposure to wild animals are: Don’t let your pets roam free to help prevent them from coming into contact with wild animals Teach children to avoid wildlife and all animals they do not know well Don’t feed or water your pets outside to avoid attracting wild animals Keep your garbage cans securely covered Bat-proof your home in the fall and winter Do not keep wild animals as pets If your pet has been bitten or scratched by an animal, put on gloves before touching your pet If you are bitten by an animal: Wash the wound immediately with soap and water for at least 5 minutes If it is a domestic animal, find out if it is vaccinated against rabies Contact your physician immediately Prompt and appropriate treatment after being bitten and before the disease develops can stop rabies infection and prevent the disease. Rabies is one of the topics DHHS is focusing on this week in recognition of National Public Health Week. For more information about National Public Health Week, go to www.nphw.org. For more information about rabies, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/rabies or call the DHHS Division of Public Health Services Communicable Disease Control Section at 603-271-4496.

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NH Department of Health and Human Services
129 Pleasant Street - State Office Park South
Concord, NH 03301

PRESS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Information Office
November 10, 2009
603-271-4051

Media Advisory
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is announcing the launching of a new H1N1 website. The new website contains all the information and content that was located on DHHS’ original H1N1 website, however the new site is designed to be easier for people to navigate and access. You can visit DHHS’ new H1N1 website by going to nh.gov. Anyone with questions please contact the DHHS Public Information Office.

To improve the health and well being of the Lakes Region through inter-organizational collaboration and community and public health improvement activities. • Tuesday, January 5, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Gilford Elementary School, Gilford • Saturday, January 9, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, St. Charles Borromeo Church, Meredith • Wednesday, January 13, 3:00 pm to 5:00 p.m., Belmont Middle School, Belmont • Saturday, January 23, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Lakes Region Community College, Laconia Now accepting registrations for all people 4 years and older. Registration is required. On-line registration is strongly encouraged at www.LRPPH.org. Telephone registration accepted Tuesdays through Thursdays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm only. Call 528-1925 For more information about H1N1 or to find a clinic, call NH’s Public Inquiry Line by dialing 211 or visit www.nh.gov.

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