| Rabies cases in Michigan triples; at an all-time high |
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| By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent
LANSING, Mich. — Rabies cases in Michigan have more than tripled this year, reaching an all-time high in the state.
According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), 169 animal cases of rabies have been reported this year, compared to 49 animal cases in 2006. The outbreak has MDA officials urging citizens to have their pets, livestock and horses vaccinated against the disease.
“Vaccinating your pets and livestock is the first line of defense in combating this deadly disease,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Steven Halstead. “A simple vaccination can mean the difference between life or death for your pets and other animals.”
Rabies is a fatal disease that is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes are the primary carriers of the virus in Michigan, and these species are commonly found on farms and in urban areas.
Dogs, cats, cattle or any warm-blooded animal can pass rabies to people. They can be infected when rabid wild animals bite them. While many of these domestic animals are vaccinated against rabies, anyone who suffers a bite should wash the area thoroughly and seek medical attention. Very few bites by these animals carry a risk of rabies – if a dog, cat or ferret appeared healthy at the time a person was bitten, it can be confined by its owner for 10 days and observed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rabies can take several weeks or even a few months to show symptoms after being transmitted. Early signs of rabies may be fever or headache, but this changes quickly to nervous system signs such as confusion, sleepiness or agitation.
Once a person with rabies begins having these symptoms, they typically do not survive the disease. This is why it is important for a person to seek medical attention immediately if bitten by an animal, especially a wild animal.
“If you suspect any domestic animal of having rabies, contact your local veterinarian immediately,” Halstead said. “Rabies suspect wild animals should be reported to local animal control or law enforcement authorities.”
State officials recommend several precautions to guard against the transmission of rabies. Never approach a wild animal, and do not approach or handle unfamiliar dogs or cats.
Consult a veterinarian about vaccinating sheep, cattle and other domestic animals against rabies.
Anyone who is bitten by a wild animal – especially a bat, skunk, raccoon or fox – or a dog, cat, ferret or farm animal, should contact their physician, local animal control agency and local health department. Or, to report a suspected case of rabies, call MDA’s Animal Industry Division at 517-373-1077.
This farm news was published in the Sept. 19, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
| 9/19/2007 |
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