A coalition of human and animal health agencies are warning of an increase in rabies along the Front Range of Colorado and urging people to have their horses vaccinated against rabies, as well as reminding pet owners to be sure that their dog and cat rabies vaccinations are up-to-date. They also suggest that people discuss vaccination of their other livestock with their veterinarian.A horse in El Paso County was confirmed to have rabies in September 2009 – the first known horse case in Colorado in at least 25 years – and Colorado recently had a second confirmed case.On April 9, a horse that died in eastern Arapahoe County was confirmed to have rabies. So far this year, the majority of the human exposure to rabies has been from horses, not wild animals.”Rabies is circulating in skunks in rural areas east of I-25, and it is moving closer to more densely populated areas of Metro Denver,” said Richard L. Vogt, MD, executive director of Tri-County Health Department. “Colorado’s last human death from rabies was in 1931, and we want to keep it that way.”A total of 41 skunks have tested positive for rabies so far in Colorado this year. Skunks often live near homes and barns, increasing the chances of contact with dogs, cats, horses and farm animals. Domestic animals can become infected, placing humans at even greater risk for exposure.Having dogs, cats, horses, and livestock vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian is the simplest and most effective way to protect both animals and humans from rabies.”The Colorado Department of Agriculture would like to stress two very important points,” said state veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr. “First, that animal owners need to be aware that the incidence of rabies is increasing and the virus is transferring from one species to another, so owners should monitor their animals for symptoms; and second, that local veterinarians are a valuable resource to help producers decide the best course of action to protect their livestock and pets from rabies.”Rabies is caused by a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals, and is nearly always fatal. The virus is shed in the saliva of infected animals, and people or animals can get rabies from the bite or contact with saliva of any rabid animal – whether it is a wild animal or an infected pet, horse or farm animal. Immediate treatment is required after exposure to an infected animal’s saliva.El Paso County Department of Health offers the following rabies protection advice (other than vaccinations):
- Don’t feed wild animals or allow your pets around them. Teach children to stay away from wild mammals. Do not keep pet food outside as that may attract wild animals.
- Protect all pets, particularly animals too young to be vaccinated, from contact with wild animals. Puppies and kittens can be vaccinated for rabies as early as 3 months old, depending on the vaccine used.
- Contact your veterinarian if your dog or cat is bitten or scratched by wild animals.
- If you or a family member has been bitten by a wild animal or a domestic animal unknown to you, immediately contact your physician and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
- If you see a skunk or other wild mammal that is acting abnormally, such as stumbling or acting overly aggressive, call the Division of Wildlife. If you encounter a dead animal, do not touch the animal. Remove the carcass with a shovel or other tool and double bag it for the trash.
- Take steps to bat proof your home.
