The Chautauqua County Health Department (CCHD) has confirmed that two feral or stray cats in the City of Jamestown have died from the rabies virus. 

No other cats have been identified as having rabies and currently the Health Department has no other open investigations of potentially rabid cats. 

According to the health department, the first cat was found with wounds from an animal fight. A resident took a cat into their home to try to let it heal. The cat was kept separate from other animals. 

After roughly 2 weeks, the cat began acting strangely and eventually died in the home. The CCHD says residents who interacted with the cat were not bitten or scratched. 

The second cat was found in poor health by a resident who frequently feeds feral cats, The cat was taken into the home and died while in the home. 

The health department said the resident was scratched by the cat and was treated for rabies post exposure. 

“These incidents should serve as a reminder to residents to take precautions around feral or stray animals and
that animal rabies is a serious public health concern and continues to be present in Chautauqua County,” said
Jessica Wuerstle, County Director of Environmental Health Services.

The health department offers the following advice to protect your family and pets from rabies exposure: 

  • Do not feed wild or stray animals. Do not leave your pet’s food outside where a wild or stray animal
    may be attracted to it.
  • Secure garbage, bird seed, or other potential outdoor food sources in bins with tightly fitting lids so
    wild and stray animals are not attracted to your property.
  • Do not approach or handle any wild or unknown domestic animal. If you find an injured wild animal,
    or have questions about wildlife encounters please refer to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website at: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health.
  • Teach children to never approach an unfamiliar animal, even if the animal appears friendly, and to tell
    an adult immediately if they are bitten or scratched.
  • Wash any animal bites and scratches immediately with soap and water and contact your health care
    provider immediately. Call the Health Department to evaluate your risk of rabies exposure, including
    whether rabies post-exposure treatment is recommended.
  • Keep your pet's rabies and distemper vaccinations up-to-date. Pets who are left unattended outside
    may come in contact with feral or wild animals. Pets who spend all their time indoors may come in
    contact with bats.

Animals that have rabies may become aggressive and attack with no provocation, while others may appear tame or docile. 

People can be exposed to rabies through an infected animal's saliva. If you are bitten by a feral/stray animal seek medical treatment. 

More information can be found on the CCHD's website.