Rabies Case Confirmed Within Abilene City Limits
By: City of Abilene Press Release
Updated: September 12, 2012
The City of Abilene's Animal Services Division announced today that a skunk found in south Abilene tested positive for rabies.
The specimen was confirmed by the Texas Department of State Health Services. There was no human contact with the infected skunk, but a dog that came into contact with the skunk will be kept under confinement for the state-required 45 days as a precautionary measure.
Animal Services recommends the following tips to help alleviate the potential danger of rabies:
1. Immunize all dogs and cats over the age of four months.
2. Keep all pets confined in a secure enclosure or on a leash while walking.
3. Immediately report any wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior.
4. Do not interact with wildlife.
Rabies is a virus disease of the central nervous system. It can be transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal or through the saliva of a rabid animal being introduced into a fresh scratch or similar skin break and rarely by other routes.
Saliva in contact with unbroken skin or even on a scratch wound over 24 hours old (one where a scab has formed) usually won't require anti-rabies treatment. You should immediately see a doctor if you have been bitten and think the animal could be rabid.
In case of contact with a potentially rabid animal in city limits, contact the City of Abilene Animal Services Division during regular business hours at 325-698-0085 or at 325-673-8331 after hours or during holidays.
The specimen was confirmed by the Texas Department of State Health Services. There was no human contact with the infected skunk, but a dog that came into contact with the skunk will be kept under confinement for the state-required 45 days as a precautionary measure.
Animal Services recommends the following tips to help alleviate the potential danger of rabies:
1. Immunize all dogs and cats over the age of four months.
2. Keep all pets confined in a secure enclosure or on a leash while walking.
3. Immediately report any wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior.
4. Do not interact with wildlife.
Rabies is a virus disease of the central nervous system. It can be transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal or through the saliva of a rabid animal being introduced into a fresh scratch or similar skin break and rarely by other routes.
Saliva in contact with unbroken skin or even on a scratch wound over 24 hours old (one where a scab has formed) usually won't require anti-rabies treatment. You should immediately see a doctor if you have been bitten and think the animal could be rabid.
In case of contact with a potentially rabid animal in city limits, contact the City of Abilene Animal Services Division during regular business hours at 325-698-0085 or at 325-673-8331 after hours or during holidays.
