|
|
|
The Kiowa County Health Department has issued a rabies warning to all Kiowa County residents.
Stemming from a coyote attack last week on the western side of the county, the Kiowa County Health Department is recommending caution when approaching any wild animals. Health officials say the coyote attacked a farm dog then attempted to get into a nearby house before it was killed by Kansas Fish and Game officer Matt Hanvey. A test confirmed that the animal was infected with the rabies virus.
The Kiowa County Health Dept. has released recommended safety guidelines.
- If you have any pets, be sure they are vaccinated against rabies and that you get their boosters as required.
- Any time that your pet would bite anyone, be sure to report that to the health department or law enforcement and keep the animal in confinement.
- If you think that you have come in contact with a rabid animal, try to get someone to put the animal in confinement if it is a pet
- If it is a wild animal, it needs to be killed. It is necessary to have the head of the animal to test if for rabies, so never shot the animal in the head.
- Call law enforcement, the health dept. or a veterinarian to help you in getting the head test.
- And of course do not have wild animals for pets.
“A rabid animal can be very aggressive and will attack without any reason,” Mitzi Hesser of the KCHD. “Rabies is deadly if you are exposed and you do nothing about it. Post exposure vaccinations can cost thousands of dollars, so prevention is by far the best option.”
According to the Center for Disease Control wild animals accounted for 92 percent of reported cases of rabies in the U.S. with 36.6 percent attributed to raccoons, 23.5 percent attributed to skunks and bats with 7 percent and 2 percent attributed to foxes and rodents accordingly. They also report that confirmed cases in cats are three to four times more likely that cattle or dogs based on 2010 statistics. Find more information at www.cdc.gov/rabies (graph)
“Having a rabid coyote in Kiowa County is a good reminded that in western Kansas we have reports of rabies most every year, so if you live in rural areas it is absolutely necessary to protect your pets,” continued Hesser. “Even if you live town, it is still very possible for your pets can be exposed to a rabid animal. You can contact the KCHD at mitzi.hesser@kiowacountyks.org.
The Kiowa County Health Department has issued a rabies warning to all Kiowa County residents.
Stemming from a coyote attack last week on the western side of the county, the Kiowa County Health Department is recommending caution when approaching any wild animals. Health officials say the coyote attacked a farm dog then attempted to get into a nearby house before it was killed by Kansas Fish and Game officer Matt Hanvey. A test confirmed that the animal was infected with the rabies virus.
The Kiowa County Health Dept. has released recommended safety guidelines.
- If you have any pets, be sure they are vaccinated against rabies and that you get their boosters as required.
- Any time that your pet would bite anyone, be sure to report that to the health department or law enforcement and keep the animal in confinement.
- If you think that you have come in contact with a rabid animal, try to get someone to put the animal in confinement if it is a pet
- If it is a wild animal, it needs to be killed. It is necessary to have the head of the animal to test if for rabies, so never shot the animal in the head.
- Call law enforcement, the health dept. or a veterinarian to help you in getting the head test.
- And of course do not have wild animals for pets.
“A rabid animal can be very aggressive and will attack without any reason,” Mitzi Hesser of the KCHD. “Rabies is deadly if you are exposed and you do nothing about it. Post exposure vaccinations can cost thousands of dollars, so prevention is by far the best option.”
According to the Center for Disease Control wild animals accounted for 92 percent of reported cases of rabies in the U.S. with 36.6 percent attributed to raccoons, 23.5 percent attributed to skunks and bats with 7 percent and 2 percent attributed to foxes and rodents accordingly. They also report that confirmed cases in cats are three to four times more likely that cattle or dogs based on 2010 statistics. Find more information at www.cdc.gov/rabies (graph)
“Having a rabid coyote in Kiowa County is a good reminded that in western Kansas we have reports of rabies most every year, so if you live in rural areas it is absolutely necessary to protect your pets,” continued Hesser. “Even if you live town, it is still very possible for your pets can be exposed to a rabid animal. You can contact the KCHD at mitzi.hesser@kiowacountyks.org.
