Rabies Quarantine in Yellowstone County
Quarantine Information: As of June 3, 2010, Yellowstone County is in a Rabies Quarantine. The quarantine applies to all dogs, cats, and ferrets in Yellowstone County. The quarantine is the result of one rabies positive animal found in our county. This quarantine lasts for 60 days, but will be extended if more rabies positive animals are found. Violation of the quarantine is a criminal offense and carries a penalty of fine, imprisonment, and possible civil damages. Essentially, for the next 60 days, the movement of animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) out of the county is not allowed unless the animal is currently vaccinated for rabies and the vaccination date was at least 14 days prior to movement out of the county. Certain non-vaccinated animals (1. animals less than three months of age, 2. animals being adopted from public or private animal shelters, and 3. animals being transported to veterinary facilities or animal shelters) can be "conditionally released" with written permission from the office of the state veterinarian. In Montana, the sale of rabies vaccine is restricted to licensed veterinarians.
Additional Rabies Information: Because of public health concerns, any person who observes or has knowledge of an animal demonstrating signs consistent with rabies should notify a local veterinarian, state veterinarian, or local health officer. Signs can include: abnormal behavior, aggression, staggering, weakness, convulsions, and paralysis. All incidents of people being bitten by animals (domestic or wild) should be reported immediately to a physician or local public health officer.
Isolation of Biting Animals: All healthy cats, dogs, and ferrets, regardless of vaccination status, that bite a person should be confined as described in ARM 32.2.1203 for a period of ten (10) days following the bite incident. Domestic animals other than cats, dogs, and ferrets that bite a person may also be subject to confinement and observation. If the isolated animal shows any signs suggestive of rabies during this ten day period, he/she must be humanely euthanized and the brain tested for rabies. Any wild animals or wolf hybrids that bite a person will be immediately euthanized and tested for rabies.
Animal Contacts with Rabid Animals:
1. Any animal that is not currently vaccinated against rabies that is bitten by a known rabid animal must be humanely destroyed or held in quarantine, in strict confinement, for a period of 180 days. Quarantine at a location other than a veterinary facility or approved animal shelter must be approved by the office of the state veterinarian.
2. Animals that are currently vaccinated against rabies that are bitten by a known rabid animal should be revaccinated immediately and kept under the owner's control and observed closely for 45 days.
General Rabies Information: Rabies is a deadly but preventable viral disease that causes swelling of the brain in mammals, including humans. It is spread through bites or scratches from an infected animal. Rabies is almost always fatal unless treated before symptoms appear. Click here for more information about rabies virus from the Centers for Disease Control.
Last year we had 19 POSITIVE confirmed cases of rabies in Montana! Of those cases there were: 14 skunks, 3 bats, 1 cat and 1 horse. One of the rabies positive skunks was found in Billings Heights. Contact our office at 406-255-0500 if you have any questions or concerns about this quarantine or your pet!
