Animal Bites / Injuries

Information Needed for Investigation

Verify that the person has sustained an injury from an animal.
Establish the extent of exposure. Determine if additional persons (household members, visitors, neighbors, etc.) have been exposed to the animal.
Determine if the individual’s exposure has been assessed by a physician. If the wound was recently sustained, advise the person to wash it thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Most individuals should be referred to a physician. Medical personnel should clean the wound further, provide antibiotic therapy and tetanus immunization if needed, an d assess for other threats such as rabies.
Determine the circumstances of the incident. Obtain information from reliable sources regarding the actions of the animal and injured person at the time of the incident.
Obtain information about the animal. This includes information such as physical description, rabies vaccination status (if applicable), apparent health, present location, and animal’s veterinarian (if applicable).
Contact Veterinary Public Health (573-751-6113) or the Regional Communicable Disease Coordinator to collaborate in the investigation, as needed.