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Rabies on the rise locally |
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Thursday, 28 May 2009 |
• Two skunks test positive for disease
• Pet vaccinations recommended
By MICHELLE ZLOMKE
Chief Managing Editor
Two positive rabies tests this month have local health officials and veterinarians concerned.
“We don’t usually have so many positives right in a row,” said Dr. Maureen Longfellow, who practices at Grassland Hospital in Broken Bow.
Longfellow said they found an infected skunk in pens at their clinic, and another was found in a dog’s pen south of Broken Bow.
Additionally, tests are pending on the body of a skunk now held at Grassland Hospital.
“It’s just good for people to know we have rabies in Broken Bow,” Longfellow said.
According to Loup Basin Public Health Department information, rabies is a deadly virus infection that can attack the central nervous system of most warm blooded animals, including humans. It remains a potentially serious public health problem in Nebraska.
Longfellow said skunks and bats are the wild animals most typically affected by rabies.
The health department says raccoons, coyotes, and other wildlife can also carry the virus.
Longfellow said it might be difficult to tell if a bat is affected, but skunks may exhibit unusual behavior, such as approaching people and being present in occupied areas during the day.
Periodically, the Loup Basin Health Department is notified by the State Veterinarian that an animal in the health department district has tested positive for rabies.
According to Loup Basin Public Health Department director Chuck Cone, there have been three different incidents in our district so far this year in which dogs that were either not vaccinated or not current for rabies vaccinations have tangled with skunks.
In each of these incidents, the dogs have killed the skunks which subsequently tested positive for rabies. Because of the seriousness of rabies, euthanasia has been the recommendation for each of these pet’s outcome.
“This decision is painful for us, the veterinarians, and the pet owners. If the pet is current with its rabies vaccination, a less drastic outcome can usually be expected,” stated Cone.
Longfellow said domestic animals may not exhibit signs of rabies for a few months after they are infected.
If pet owners see changes in behavior or any neurological problems, Longfellow said, owners should be suspicious.
Not only is it good practice, State law requires that dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies and kept current.
Longfellow said a pet’s first vaccination against rabies is effective for one year. Subsequent doses last three years.
“In order to diagnose rabies in a wild animal, the brain of the suspected animal must be microscopically examined. Therefore, it is important not to damage the head of a suspected animal if it is to be tested,” said Cone. “Usually, animals will only be tested if there has been some type of exposure to humans, pets or possibly other animals.”
Longfellow recommended against trying to trap or confine animals suspected to have rabies.
“If you shoot them, don’t shoot them in the head, because the head must be sent in for tests,” she said. “And definitely don’t handle the animal.”
For more information, please contact the Loup Basin Public Health Department at 308-346-5795 or toll free at 866-522-5795. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 June 2009 )
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