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Editorial
Caution urged as rabies cases continue in area
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Most of us don't think about rabies unless it's time to take the family pet in for vaccinations, but with less than a handful of documented cases of people surviving rabies, and with cases continuing to be reported in Southwest Nebraska and the rest of the state, now is a good time for a reminder.
The latest report shows 22 cases of rabies exposure in the state this year and seven in Southwest Nebraska, including a skunk that exposed a dog to the disease in Trenton on Aug. 3, a dog that exposed humans and other dogs in Arapahoe on July 29, and a cow that exposed a human in Haigler on July 23.
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department officials recommend that residents contact their local veterinarian to make sure your pet's vaccinations are current.
Be wary of any animal or pet that seems to be acting differently than normal. Wild animals may move slowly or act as if they are tame. A pet that is usually friendly may snap at you or try to bite.
Some signs of rabies:
* changes in animal's behavior
* general sickness
* problems swallowing
* increased drooling
* Aggression.
If you discover a dead wild animal that may have infected your pets, remove the animal from the area with a shovel, wearing gloves and placing the carcass in a plastic bag.
Be sure to wash your hands in soap and water after taking off your gloves.
Do everything to make sure you avoid direct contact between the carcass and yourself.
Tools, cages, gloves and other surfaces potentially contaminated with saliva, nervous tissue or blood can be disinfected with a 10 percent solution of household bleach in water.
Contact your local veterinarian about rabies testing.
All livestock rabies exposures must be reported to the State Veterinarian.
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People get rabies from the bite of an animal with rabies. Any wild mammal, like a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote, or bat, can have rabies and transmit it to people. According to the Center for Disease Control, rabies is a medical urgency. Any wounds should be immediately washed and receive medical attention from a health care professional.
For more information, call (308) 345-4223, or stop in at 404 West 10th, a block north of Arby's in McCook or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rabies site at http://www. cdc.gov/rabies/