A domestic cat sent to the State Public Health Laboratory on Thursday by the Texas County Health Department tested positive for rabies.
The department was notified the following day of the findings. A follow-up investigation has been conducted by the health department to identify any persons or animals that may have come in contact with the rabid cat, who was infected after being bit by a skunk. In a separate unrelated report, results are pending on another cat submitted to the public health lab for testing on Friday.
The health department encourages anyone who has pets to make sure they are current on their rabies vaccinations. By Missouri statute and code, rabies vaccinations given by anyone other than licensed veterinarian, such as the pet owner, are not recognized as valid. Vaccinating the pet acts as a barrier between the wildlife exposures of rabies and people, since pets are more likely to be exposed to a rabid skunk directly than people.
Rabies, a deadly viral infection attacks the nervous system and is almost always fatal if early treatment is not initiated. Over the past 10 years, Missouri has averaged more than 50 rabid animals annually, a number that includes only those animals tested because they bit either a person or someone’s pet – there were undoubtedly many more rabid animals that went undetected. As of July 13, the Public Health Lab had tested 874 animal heads for the year. 24 were positive (3 dog, 1 cat, 3 bat, 16 skunk, 1 horse). Texas County will now be added to the list of counties on alert (Bollinger, Howell, Oregon, and Wayne).
The risk of exposure to rabies can be reduced by:
• Vaccinating domestic pets and keep their vaccinations up-to-date.
• Keep dogs on leash.
• Do not feed or handle wild animals such as skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes.
• Avoid contact with animals that act strangely or look sick.
• “Bat-proof” homes, cabins, attics and other areas where bats might enter or nest.
If you have been bitten by an animal you should:
• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
• Contact your physician immediately to discuss rabies post-exposure treatment and tetanus immunization.
• If you suspect the animal has rabies, notify local animal control immediately. Do not try and catch the animal yourself.
• If the biting animal is caught it can be quarantined for observation, or euthanized to see if it has rabies.
• The brain of an animal must be intact to test for rabies. Do not shoot a potentially rabid animal in the head.
• If you find a bat in a room with a person who has been sleeping, or a bat with an unattended child, consult your doctor immediately even if there isn’t any evidence of a bite or scratch.
If a person is exposed to rabies it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. Once symptoms of rabies appear it is almost always too late to prevent death.
Persons who want further information or have questions can contact the Texas County Health Department at 417-967-4131.