THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997              TAG: 9701290166
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY CAROLE O'KEEFFE, CORRESPONDENT
                                            LENGTH:   60 lines

CITY HEALTH WORKERS TEACH ABOUT DANGERS OF RABIES THE CHILDREN WERE TAUGHT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT THEY SHOULD AVOID STRAY ANIMALS.

To teach young children about rabies, Portsmouth Health Department officials took several stuffed animals and even dressed as an elephant and a cat for students at La Petite Academy on Jan. 24.

When some of the children wanted to talk about birds and snakes, they were told rabies only affects animals who are ``warm and fuzzy, like us,'' said John Eads, an environmental specialist with the health department.

He bent on one knee to get to the children's eye level, and hugged himself to get his point across. ``Only animals who have blood like us.''

Skunks, bats, foxes, raccoons, dogs, cats and some farm animals are most likely to get rabies.

The officials told the children that while humans can get rabies, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians do not.

During Rabies Awareness Week, the health department was trying to make children of all ages - including the 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds at the La Petite Academy program - aware of the dangers of rabid animals, what to do to avoid attacks, and what to do if one occurs.

The officials told the children that it's important to get their pets vaccinated against rabies, and that they should not go near wild animals - instead, they should enjoy them from a distance.

``Stay away from stray dogs and cats,'' said Aubrey Meekins, an environmental health specialist who designed the school program for the city. ``Wild animals are not usually around, and if they are, that's an indication something is out of kilter.''

Eads told the children that, if a stray animal approaches them, they should not touch the animal. ``Don't scream and run, either,'' he said. ``Just say, `NO!' if an animal you don't know comes towards you. You never know if he is sick or not. Find an adult.''

If they are bitten or scratched, they need to tell someone, he said.

The ``animals'' who visited the school made friends quickly with the children.

Elliot the Elephant, nearly as high as the ceiling, got lots of hugs from the children (a few of whom tugged on his trunk), but he didn't have anything to say. His presence was meant to help the children remember the lessons they were being taught.

``Don't forget,'' said Carol Canada, a public health nurse supervisor. ``Elephants never forget.''

Miss Kitty (otherwise known as Muriel Richardson) also made an impression on the preschoolers, many of whom have cats at home. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

RABIES TIPS

Do not ignore an animal bite.

Thoroughly wash an animal bite with soap and water.

Call a doctor immediately.

Report the bite to the health department.

If you can, capture the animal under a large box or other

container. Do not touch the animal.

If the animal can't be captured without touching it, try to

identify it before it runs away.