Animal Bites & Rabies Prevention

Reporting Animal Bites

By law, animal bites are considered a reportable disease in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This means animal bites to humans are legally reportable. See Delaware County Health Code § 200.44 (Animal Bites and Rabies Control)

All animal bites that occur in Delaware County must be reported to the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) using the form below:

• ANIMAL BITE/EXPOSURE REPORT FORM

Once a report is received, DCHD staff will review the incident and provide guidance on whether the exposed person should begin rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

What Happens After an Animal Bite

Testing for Rabies

• If you are bitten, scratched, or exposed to saliva from an animal that might have rabies, the animal will need to be tested.
• Rabies testing can only be done at a state-approved lab, and it requires the animal to be euthanized so its brain tissue can be examined.

 Special Situations

• Bats: Residents may hand-deliver live bats directly to the state lab (see PA Department of Health guidance).
• Pets (dogs, cats, ferrets): If a pet has died, the owner’s veterinarian usually prepares and submits the animal for testing.
• Wild Animals: Dead wild animals (except bats) can be submitted to the state lab. Only trained professionals (such as veterinarians, Game Commission officers, or wildlife technicians) should prepare these animals for testing.

Observation Instead of Testing

• If the biting animal is a healthy dog, cat, or ferret and not suspected of having rabies, it may be placed under a 10-day observation period.
• If the animal stays healthy for 10 days, rabies is very unlikely, and the animal is released from observation.
• If the animal becomes sick or dies during this period, it will be tested for rabies.
• For most wild animals, testing is usually recommended instead of observation.

Rabies: What You Should Know

What is rabies?

A deadly virus that affects the brain and nervous system. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.

How is it spread?

• Usually through the bite or scratch of an infected mammal.
• Saliva entering cuts, eyes, or mouth can also spread rabies.

Which animals carry rabies?

In Pennsylvania, rabies is most often found in bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and unvaccinated cats or dogs. Small rodents (like squirrels, mice, or rabbits) almost never carry rabies.

Click here for Rabies Facts: Rabies Quick Sheet (PDF)

 

What To Do If You're Bitten 

1. Wash the wound right away with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
2. Seek medical care as soon as possible.
3. Report the bite to the Health Department.
4. Do not release the animal if it can be safely confined for testing or observation.

What DCHD Does Not Handle

Some animal concerns are handled by local towns, police, or private agencies — not by the Health Department. These include:

• Animal vs. animal bites (no human involvement)
• Stray wandering dogs
• Deceased animals found inside or outside the home
• Trapping of any animals
• Euthanizing any animals
• Transporting animals or animal samples for testing

Resources

Government Wildlife Management Cooperative:  https://wildlifehelp.org/

PA Game Commission: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/about-us/contact-information 

PA Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System: http://padls.agriculture.pa.gov/InnerPages/Rabies.html 

CDC Rabies: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html

For more information and assistance, the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to responding to phone calls, the Wellness Line also responds to email inquiries.

Phone: (484) 276-2100 (Available 24/7)
Email: DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us