Animal Bites and Vectors

Program Information

Yolo County is located in a rabies endemic area which means rabies has been proven to exist in local wildlife. Communicable diseases (including rabies) can be transmitted to humans by vectors (animals, insects and living organisms capable of transmitting disease to humans). Rabies can be transmitted by the bite of warm-blooded animals and is potentially fatal to humans when bites are not properly and quickly handled and followed-up by health and medical personnel.

In 2008, Yolo County Health Department conducted 680 animal-to-human contact and bite investigations.  Of the 680 investigations, 117 involved bats, of which 20 tested positive for rabies.  During 2008, no animals other than the 20 bats tested positive for rabies, however, positive cases involving skunk, possum, and livestock have been documented in past years.

Yolo County Environmental Health provides on-site evaluation and consultation in controlling and abatement of pests and vectors such as cockroaches, rodents, birds, bats, and flies. This is countywide including all cities and the unincorporated areas.

What Is A Vector?

A vector is an animal, insect, or living organism that can carry and transmit communicable diseases to humans. The abatement or proper handling of vectors is important to the prevention of human illness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rabies

• What is rabies?
  Rabies is a viral infection of the central nervous system that causes a fatal inflammation of the brain and in some cases the spinal cord. All mammals may become infected with rabies. However, the public health significance of each species varies markedly. In Yolo County, skunks and bats, are the two wild animals that have been determined to be the primary reservoir species of the disease. Therefore, any direct contact by citizens, their pets, or livestock with wild animals, especially skunks or bats, should be promptly reported.

• How is rabies transmitted?
  The rabies virus must enter the animal to cause disease. It cannot penetrate intact skin. Bite wounds are the primary method of entry into both humans and animals. Animal bites to humans are investigated because of the possibility that the bite victim was exposed and could become infected with the rabies virus. Any direct contact with bat is a concern and should be reported immediately.

• What is done to prevent rabies in Yolo County?
  The Health Department investigates every human bite or contact with an animal that could transmit Rabies and takes action intended to prevent human infection.

• What should I do if I, or someone I know, is bitten?
  Promptly clean the area of a bite wound with soap and water. Immediately contact your physician and either the Health Department or Animal Control Services so that necessary and timely medical care and investigation can be provided to the bite victim. State law requires physicians and medical facilities report animal bites to the Health Department so the investigation can be promptly conducted, but our response can be faster if the victim or owner of the animal immediately contacts the Health Department or Animal Control Services.

• Why are animals quarantined?
  If the animal that bit a human is a dog or another animal likely to be infected with the rabies virus it is quarantined and observed. This allows us to determine if the victim could have been exposed to the rabies virus. In cases where a high-risk animal cannot be located, the nature of the contact and species of the animal must be evaluated to allow the physician to determine the need for post exposure rabies prophylaxis (treatment). It is therefore very important for us to find the biting animal.

• What if I don't know who owns the animal?
  You can help us find the animal by providing our investigator as much information as possible. Besides the owner's name and address, other information that can help us includes:

  • the name of the animal
  • the location where the bite occurred
  • where the animal was last seen
  • others that may know or could have seen the animal
  • description of the animal (color, sex, size, markings)
  • the auto license plate number and vehicle description if it was left in a vehicle
  • any other information that can help the investigator locate the animal

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us by any of the following methods:

            Mail :
            Yolo County Environmental Health Department
            137 N. Cottonwood St. Suite 2400
            Woodland, CA 95695
            (530) 666-8646 or (916) 375-6475
            (530) 669-1448: FAX

E-mail : environmental.health@yolocounty.org