BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL
Veterinarians and state health officials are reporting more cases of rabies this year, especially in North Texas, and speculate that the drought is forcing rabid wild animals seeking water to wander into more populated areas where they are having contact with family pets.
For the first six months of this year, the Texas Department of State Health Services’ preliminary data show 591 cases of rabies compared with 387 during the same period last year.
Fifty-one were reported in Denton, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise counties during the first six months of 2011 compared with 25 in the same period last year, according to state reports. Dallas has reported no rabies cases this year; it had two cases in the first six months of 2010.
“Exposure is what we’re concerned about. If your family pet’s vaccinations aren’t up to date, they could be exposed to wild animals,” said Christine Mann, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.
State officials suspect the drought is a contributing factor in the reporting of rabies, along with an increased skunk population and better public awareness of the disease. Veterinarians also wonder whether owners, because of the hard economic times, are getting pets vaccinated. Read more…
Discover more from Ebarrelracing.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
