On March 24th, 2011, a skunk from Saline County tested positive for rabies at the Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory in Manhattan KS. The skunk was submitted by the Salina Animal Shelter, after it was killed by dogs in Salina. This is the 1st case of rabies in Saline County and the 4th case in Kansas in 2011. This year’s positives include 4 skunks. In 2010 there were 58 animals testing positive in Kansas. The animals testing positive in 2010 included 39 skunks, 5 cats, 3 dogs, 5 cattle, and 6 bats.
The risk of exposure to rabies is real, but the disease is preventable in both humans and domestic animals. In the US, there are around 7,000 animal rabies cases diagnosed every year. In the mid-West, skunks and bats are the main sources and the most common animal species positive for rabies. Domestic and farm pets and livestock can be infected from exposure to these wildlife sources of rabies.
Rabies prevention consists of vaccinating domestic animals, education to avoid exposures, and providing exposed persons with prompt post-exposure rabies prophylaxis. The World Health Organization reports that about 50,000 people die of rabies infection world-wide every year.
Follow these tips to prevent rabies:
– Have your veterinarian vaccinate all dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, and valuable livestock against rabies. Don’t forget “farm dogs” and “farm cats”, which are more likely to have contact with wild animals. Properly immunized animals have a minimal chance of developing rabies.
– If bitten by an animal, seek medical attention and report the bite to the Salina-Saline County Health Department (826-6602) or Salina Animal Shelter (826-6535) immediately.
– If your animal is bitten, contact your veterinarian for advice. Call the Animal Shelter if you do not have a veterinarian.
– Do not handle or feed wild animals. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
– Consider all skunks as potentially rabid. Most of the animal rabies in Kansas is found in skunks, or animals bitten by skunks.
– Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
– Keep pets confined to yards or on a leash.
– Notify the Animal Shelter of stray animals running unconfined.
– Do not leave pet food and water outside overnight. This could attract other animals.
– If animals (wild or domestic) appear sick or injured, act strangely, show aggressive behavior, snapping or growling at moving objects, refusal to eat or drink, excessive drooling, unusual excitability or restlessness, paralysis, seizures, friendliness in wild animals, or normally nocturnal animals are outside during the day, call the Salina Animal Shelter, or call the Salina Police Department at 826-7210 after hours.
– Cattle especially may sometimes exhibit “dumb rabies”, or progressive paralysis, without other signs.
– Do NOT approach or handle dead, dying, or injured animals. Call the Animal Shelter.
– Animals that must be destroyed should be killed in a manner that does not damage the brain. Brain tissue will need to be sent for a rabies exam.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Salina Animal Shelter at 826-6535,
Salina-Saline County Health Department at 826-6602, or the K-State Rabies Laboratory at 785-532-4483. More information on rabies can be found at: www.vet.ksu.edu/rabies , www.cdc.gov and http://www.worldrabiesday.org/ .