Warning over rabid cats in Lynn

LYNN – An unsuspecting Lynn family that recently took a stray kitten into their home is now in the process of being treated for rabies.Fearing the tiny kitten was sick last Friday, the Range Avenue family visited a veterinarian and had the animal tested for rabies, which came back positive.The kitten has since been put to sleep, but the mother and a sibling are reportedly still roaming the area, prompting city officials to take action and warn city residents.Described as a solid black cat, the mother weighs approximately eight pounds, and the kitten is roughly 7 weeks old, is also black with a spot of white on its head.Inspectional Services Director (ISD) Michael Donovan said if a person has been bitten or scratched by a cat matching either description they should contact their physician and ISD.”We’re urging people to be cautious and to not touch the cats if they see them,” he said. “It’s a very unfortunate situation.”Donovan said a leaflet describing the feral cats and the rabies virus is being distributed within 400 feet of the Range Avenue area to warn residents.”We’re relying on people to let us know if they see the cats in question,” he said. “They’re probably hanging around the area, so we want to advise people to not pick them up.”The rabies virus, which is a disease of the brain and spinal cord, lives in the saliva and nervous tissue of infected animals and is spread when they bite or scratch.It can also be spread from an infected animal if the virus comes in contact with broken skin, open wounds, or the lining of the mouth, nose or eyes.Hundreds of animals in Massachusetts are infected with rabies each year, with the majority of the cases found in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, woodchucks, and foxes.According to the Department of Public Health, over 100 cats have tested positive for rabies in the state.Rabid animals often attack unprovoked and exhibit strange behavior after the virus attacks their brain.Donovan said if people see the cats in question, they should call ISD at 781-598-4000 ext. 6718 or the Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800.