Report an Animal Bite

All animal bites must be reported to the Ulster County Department of Health per Public Health Law. Each case will be evaluated to determine if Rabies treatment is necessary.

Rabies is a naturally occurring zoonotic virus that is spread through the saliva and central nervous system tissue of infected warm-blooded animals, specifically mammals. Rabies is almost always fatal if not treated. Rabies is completely preventable, if treated in a timely manner.

For every reported animal bite, the Ulster County Department of Health Rabies Control Program determines on a case-by-case basis if Human Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (RPEP) is necessary.  The Department, in consultation with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), must authorize all RPEP treatment.

Public

Step 1.Report all animal bites and potential exposures to rabies

Report any animal bites and potential rabies exposures via:

Phone

Business Hours:  (845) 340-3150
Nights, Weekends and Holidays: (845) 943-6104

Fax

(845) 340-3045

Email

phdirector@co.ulster.ny.us

If a bat is found in your residence or place of business DO NOT let it go. Contact us for guidance on safe capture and rabies testing.

Step 2.Determination of Risk

We will consult with the patient and NYS Department of Health where applicable, and determine if Human Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (RPEP) is recommended. 

Step 3.Care Referral (if RPEP is needed)

When RPEP is recommended and authorized, the patient will be instructed to present at the Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley Emergency Room on Mary's Avenue in Kingston, NY.

The patient will be given their first dose of rabies vaccine and one dose of human rabies immune globulin. The patient will receive a schedule directing them when to return for their remaining three doses of vaccine.  

The patient’s insurance company will be billed for the services. We will pay any unreimbursed costs such as co-pays or deductibles. If the patient is uninsured, we will pay all costs.  

The patient is free to seek treatment at another provider of their choice, but we will not reimburse out of pocket expenses.  

Additional costs for services, such as wound care, are the responsibility of the patient. We can only cover costs directly related to administering the vaccine.

Health Care Providers

Step 1.Report all animal bites and potential exposures to rabies

Report any animal bites and potential rabies exposures via:

Phone

Business Hours: (845) 340-3150
Nights, Weekends and Holidays: (845) 943-6104

Fax

(845) 340-3045

Email

phdirector@co.ulster.ny.us

Step 2.Consultation

We will consult with you and the NYS Department of Health where applicable to determine if RPEP is recommended. 

We will discuss the potential rabies exposure with you to determine if the scenario merits RPEP.  Bites/potential exposures reported by the public or other source are treated the same.  All potential exposures are discussed on a case-by-case basis.

If an exposure scenario is not covered by the NYSDOH Rabies Policies and Procedures Guidance Document, we will consult with the NYSDOH Bureau of Communicable Disease Control.

Veterinarians

Step 1.Report all animal bites and potential exposures to rabies

Situations involving animals with wounds of unknown origin must also be reported.

Phone

Business Hours:  (845) 340-3150
Nights, Weekends and Holidays: (845) 943-6104

Fax

(845) 340-3045

Email

phdirector@co.ulster.ny.us

Step 2.Evaluation

We will consult with the veterinarian or technician and NYSDOH where applicable to determine if Human Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (RPEP) is recommended.

Step 3.Animal Rabies Testing

No cost animal rabies testing by NYSDOH Rabies Laboratory is also available upon request.  Please consult with us regarding all testing requests.  

No, not all animal bites require Human Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (RPEP). However, by law all bites must be reported to the Department of Health.

Bites and contacts with wild mammals are of the greatest concern. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • raccoons
  • skunks
  • foxes
  • feral cats
  • woodchucks
  • coyotes
  • wild/stray dogs
  • other large animals
  • bats

Most exposure scenarios involving wild/free-roaming rabbits or small rodents such as mice, rats, moles, voles, chipmunks, and squirrels will not result in the need for RPEP.

The majority of animal bites resulting from interaction with domestic animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock, etc.) will not result in the need for RPEP.

All County residents, visitors, and workers who have had a potential exposure to rabies are eligible for these services.County residents exposed outside of the County are also covered.

The simplest way to avoid potential rabies exposures is to not feed, touch, or pet wild animals.  Do not approach unknown cats and dogs.  You must report all known bites and potential rabies exposures.

If there is a bat in your residence or place of business DO NOT let it outside.

Contact the Ulster County Department of Health for guidance on safe capture. 

Contact Us

Phone

(845) 340-3150

Alternate Phone

(845) 943-6104
Nights, weekends, and holidays

Fax

(845) 340-3045

Email

PHDirector@ulstercountyny.gov

Documents & More Info

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