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2010 03 19 Rabies reports from Michigan and Texas - Horse Tests Positive for Rabies.
A ProMED-mail post Tue 16 Mar 2010 Michigan livestock and pet owners are being urged to vaccinate their animals against rabies after a horse in Lapeer County tested positive for the disease. "It is essential pet and livestock owners take steps to vaccinate against rabies and other diseases because of the possibility [of] human exposure to the disease from interaction with infected horses, cattle, dogs, and cats," said Michigan Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Steven Halstead, DVM. "By working with their veterinarian, owners can take significant steps toward providing a safe and healthy environment for their families and animals." Quarantine was issued on the Lapeer County horse farm and will be monitored by county animal control officers. Feral cats and any pet cat on the premises showing clinical signs consistent with rabies or with a history of biting someone within the previous 10 days will be tested. [In order for the animal to be tested, it must be euthanized and its brain examined. - Mod.TG] A total of 6 people, including the owner, trainer, and veterinarian, that might have been exposed to the rabid horse are receiving a series of preventative rabies shots. No other humans or animals are known to have been exposed at this time. [Post exposure prophylaxis is needed for human beings having been exposed to a rabid animal . - Mod.TG] This is the 3rd case of rabies in Michigan thus far in 2010 -- previous cases include a rabid skunk in St Clair County and a bat in Kent County. [Especially for livestock that may be going to a fair, rabies vaccines are important. Horses and cattle, and even porcines that are going to a livestock show or rodeo or any other type of gathering should have their rabies vaccination in addition to other communicable disease vaccinations deemed necessary by the owner and veterinarian.
RABIES, WILDLIFE - USA (05): (TEXAS) BAT, CANINE EXPOSURE Senior Animal Control Officer Johnny Carabajal is encouraging pet owners to have their animals vaccinated against rabies after the Texas Department of State Health Services reported three cases of the disease last month in South Texas. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported 3 cases of the disease last month [February 2010] in South Texas. A report released by the DSHS showed that the deadly disease had been confirmed in 3 free tailed bats. The closest case to Bee County was reported in northern Nueces County near the San Patricio County border. "One rabid bat was reported from Zapata County and a currently vaccinated dog received a booster rabies vaccination and is being confined at home for 45 days due to exposure to this bat," the report said. "The 2nd rabid bat was found on the ground behind a business complex in Nueces County and there was no reported contact with that bat."
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