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Warning Issued to Pet Owners as Rabies Spreads to Another State
Newsweek • • health
Key Points:
- Health officials warn pet owners to vaccinate animals against rabies following new cases in multiple states, including a pet dog in Louisiana that tested positive and was euthanized; additional testing on other dogs in the household is underway.
- The CDC reports a 17% increase in rabies-related human exposure inquiries in July and August compared to last year, with spikes in rabid wildlife cases in states like Idaho and Texas.
- Rabies symptoms in pets can be subtle initially but progress to neurological signs; owners are advised to seek veterinary care immediately if pets show changes after potential exposure.
- Rabies is transmitted primarily through bites or saliva contact with broken skin and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear; however, effective vaccines are available for both pets and humans at risk.
- Officials emphasize maintaining current pet vaccinations, supervising animals outdoors, and avoiding contact with wildlife to prevent rabies spread amid confirmed cases in various states.
