When you live in a rural area like Cayuga County, you are going to come into contact with wildlife. Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, bats and other small animals are all over upstate New York.

But while the animals can be cute and seem friendly, people should avoid any contact with them, health officials say. Rabies is a serious disease that can be transferred through animals. And according to the state health department, the disease could be more prevalent here than some surrounding counties.

The state Department of Health recently reported that 11 cases of rabies have been found among wild animals in Cayuga County this year as of July 31.

Five cases were reported in Onondaga County, three were found in Cortland County and none were reported in Seneca County, according to the health department.

Also, health officials in Tompkins County have been searching for a man they say was bitten last week by a rabid bat.

Lisa Jones, a senior public health technician with the Cayuga County health department, said last week that the numbers provided by the state are pretty typical for the area. She also said it is “extremely rare” when a human actually contracts rabies.

However, Jones also said it is important to know how it can be prevented.

“Rabies is in New York, and you must be aware of that,” Jones said.

A virus that affects the central nervous system, rabies can be transmitted to all warm-blooded mammals. Initial symptoms include irritability, headache, fever and itching or pain at the exposure site. Soon, the symptoms progress to paralysis, throat spasms, convulsions, delirium and, eventually, death.

People get rabies when they are exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of a rabid animal, according to the state health department. Jones recommended people who are exposed begin treatment within five days.

Health officials' main concern this time of year is for bats flying into the home, Jones said. And if that happens, she said your best bet is to keep the bat from getting away.

When people are able to trap the animal, health workers are able to test it and see if treatment is needed. If the bat gets away, any person who is touched, scratched or bitten by the animal will likely have to receive treatment.

“To protect the public, we have to assume the bat is positive for rabies,” Jones said.

However, Jones also said people should remember that bats are not the only animals that can carry the disease.

“Even a dog or cat that you do not know, you should not approach,” she said. “Wild animals can be cute, but you should definitely stay away.”

If a pet is possibly exposed, Jones recommended rabies vaccination booster.

Rabies cases in humans are so rare in the country that only a few cases are reported every year. However, Jones said these results have come because of a preventative public health approach in communities everywhere.

“We have to err on the safe side of caution,” Jones said.

Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net