CDC: 5 Things You May Not Know About Rabies
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Two days after a Saddle River, New Jersey man was attacked by a coyote in his yard, officials said the animal tested positive for rabies.
On Monday, John Zeug reported to police that he was attacked by a coyote outside his home. The 77-year-old, of the Twin Brooks area, said he was gardening in his yard when the coyote attacked.
Read: Coyote That Attacked Saddle River Man Tests Positive For Rabies
Officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and said no small children or pets should be left unattended outdoors. All pet owners are being urged to keep their animals up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations as well.
Here are five things you may or may not know about the rabies virus, courtesy of the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention:
1) The rabies virus is transmitted through saliva or brain/nervous system tissue. You can only get rabies by coming in contact with these specific bodily excretions and tissues.
2) The most common wild animals to carry rabies are: Raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes and coyotes. Rabies are most frequently reported in the following domestic animals: Cats, cattle and dogs.
3) Hawaii is the only state in the country that is rabies free.
4) The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to those of the flu including general weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache. These symptoms may last for days.
5) World Rabies Day is September 28.