If Your Child Is Bitten by an Animal

If your child has been bitten by an animal, take the following steps right away:  

• Wash the bite area with soap and water for 10 minutes and cover the bite with a clean bandage.  

• Immediately call your doctor and go to a nearby emergency department. Anyone with a possible rabies infection must be treated in a hospital.  

• Call local animal-control authorities to help find the animal that caused the bite. The animal may need to be detained and observed for signs of rabies.  

• If you know the owner of the animal that bit your child, get all the information about the animal, including vaccination status and the owner's name and address. Notify your local health department, particularly if the animal hasn't been vaccinated.  

• If you suspect that your child was bitten by an unknown dog, bat, rat, or other animal, contact