Incident Presumed to be Isolated, Tulsa Animal Services Working with Partners to Launch Localized Vaccine Clinics
Tulsa Animal Services is working with OSDH following confirmation of a positive rabies case near E. Admiral Pl. and N. Harvard Ave.
The confirmation follows a report of a dog bite by a concerned neighbor who indicated they were bitten on February 14. During the investigation, Tulsa Animal Services located the dog's owner, who disclosed the same dog also bit them four to six weeks ago, when the animal was not yet infectious with rabies.
The owner disclosed that immediately following the bite to the neighbor, the dog was put down and buried. Tulsa Animal Services investigators subsequently requested that the owner bring the deceased animal to the shelter for mandatory rabies testing as stipulated by City ordinance.
Samples taken from the animal were sent to the Oklahoma Animal Diagnostics and Disease Laboratory (OADDL) in Stillwater, OK, for thorough testing. Upon receiving the positive results, contact tracing and notification occurred on the same day of the result. The owner, neighbor, and veterinary team treating the dog were alerted to the result and to the potential for human exposure.
While the incident is presumed to be isolated, several Tulsa area animal service providers have been alerted, some of which have also been asked for help standing up localized rabies vaccination clinics near the site.
The City will provide more details on vaccine clinics as they come available. You can also follow Tulsa Animal Services on Facebook, @TulsaAnimalWelfare, to stay up to date.
Bite Reporting
Tulsa Animal Services wants to remind residents to never wait to report an animal bite. Bite reports can be made by calling (918) 596-8001.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health Epidemiologist-on-Call is also available 24/7 at (405) 426-8710 when there are questions about rabies or rabies post-exposure prophylaxis recommendations for humans and pets.
Treating & Preventing Rabies
Rabies is primarily transmitted through an infected animal's saliva. In the United States, common carriers of the virus include raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, and bats. Early symptoms such as confusion, unusual aggression, and excessive salivation can occur, and it is crucial for anyone who has been exposed to seek medical assistance, as post-exposure treatment is nearly 100% effective when identified early.
To safeguard pets and the community, Tulsa Animal Services urges pet owners to keep vaccinations up-to-date and to take additional precautions:
Owners are advised to retain the original rabies vaccination certificate provided by a licensed veterinarian as proof of their pet’s vaccination status. All dogs and cats aged four months and older, including those that are primarily indoor pets, should be vaccinated. Tulsa Animal Services recognizes that rabies vaccinations may be obtained from feed stores and pet supplies stores, but by both City Ordinance and State Law, a licensed veterinarian is required to administer the vaccine for your animal to be recognized as vaccinated against rabies. Home administered vaccines are not and will not be recognized.
The average incubation period for rabies after exposure typically ranges from one to three months but can vary from several days to up to a year. If you have been advised to receive post-exposure shots, it is imperative to follow through promptly.
For further information and guidance, contact Tulsa Animal Services at (918) 596-8010 or visit www.cityoftulsa.org/TAS.
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