All articles tagged with #rabies
A modeling study around Mumbai's 104 sq km Sanjay Gandhi National Park estimates leopards kill about 1,500 stray dogs per year, which could prevent roughly 1,000 dog bites and 90 rabies deaths annually and save about $18,000 in dog-management costs. But results are model-based, not an experimental test, and leopards near cities can still pose risks; the real impact varies by proximity to the park.
A Richmond gastroenterologist woke to a bat in her mouth, trapped the bat for rabies testing, and sought emergency care; health officials urge prompt reporting and testing after bat exposure since rabies can be fatal, and the bat later tested negative, turning the incident into a viral public-education PSA.
A 10-year-old girl was bitten by a beaver at Seneca Creek State Park, part of a string of rabid beaver attacks in Maryland this summer that also hit Cunningham Falls and Hunting Creek Lake. A dead beaver tested positive for rabies, and authorities are searching for other sick beavers while closing affected park areas. Officials caution visitors to keep a safe distance from wildlife and report unusual animal behavior; there is no confirmed outbreak link established yet.
A bat found in Livingston County, Michigan has tested positive for rabies, the county's first animal case of the year. Health officials urge residents to avoid direct contact with bats, capture any found bat for testing, and seek medical advice if exposed, since bat bites can be small and hard to detect. Exposures should be reported via the health department’s online system or by calling 517-552-6882; keep pets vaccinated and seal homes to prevent bat entry.
A Salina couple who were bitten by a dog during a Friday morning walk received help from local media in locating the dog’s owner. Neighbors identified the owner, and a veterinarian certificate confirmed the dog was up to date on rabies vaccinations, meaning the victim won’t need post‑exposure shots. The Thompsons thanked those who provided information and the community for helping resolve the situation.
South Carolina health officials say 13 people and four pets have been exposed to rabies after three animals—an Aiken County horse, an Anderson County skunk, and a Charleston County raccoon—tested positive; two dogs exposed in Anderson and two in Charleston will be quarantined under the Rabies Control Act. The state requires vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets, and there have been 72 rabid-animal cases statewide this year.
Bexar County confirms its first rabies-positive dog in more than 10 years after a Husky mix displayed concerning symptoms, as officials note a wildlife rabies uptick and urge pet vaccination, avoiding wildlife, and reporting encounters; a free rabies clinic is planned for Aug. 22 in San Antonio.
The USDA’s APHIS is dropping oral rabies vaccine baits from helicopters across New England to curb raccoon rabies, with Cape Cod distribution planned mid-September to mid-October. The bait is packaged in two-inch plastic sachets with a fishmeal attractant and is safe for most animals; humans should wash the contact area with soap and water if they touch the bait. In addition to Cape Cod, similar efforts are underway in Barre, Vermont and Houlton, Maine using aircraft and vehicles to distribute hundreds of thousands of baits.
A raccoon in Rutland tested positive for rabies after attacking an unvaccinated dog, which was euthanized; three people exposed to the animal will receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. Jefferson County reports this as the 14th confirmed rabies case this year, with additional positives among raccoons, skunks, a bat and a bobcat, underscoring the ongoing risk of rabies and the importance of timely treatment for exposures.
Two teens were attacked by rabid beavers at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, Maryland; one teen was airlifted to hospital, the beaver was euthanized and tested rabies-positive, prompting a partial closure of Hunting Creek Lake areas while wildlife officials assess safety. Authorities urge caution around wildlife and remind visitors of rabies risks and the importance of medical care if bitten.
Maryland DNR is investigating a third beaver attack this summer at Seneca Creek State Park after a 10-year-old girl was bitten; the beaver fled into the water, the girl was treated for leg lacerations, and a nearby stretch near Berryville Road will be closed while authorities search for the animal. Earlier beaver attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park tested positive for rabies, but officials say there is no current rabies outbreak in Frederick or Montgomery counties, and other areas of the park remain open.
Eastern Idaho Public Health confirms a laboratory‑tested rabid bat in Mackay (Custer County). Rabies is fatal if not treated, so do not touch bats; seek medical advice immediately if exposure is suspected, and have the bat tested for rabies (testing is free if exposure is suspected). Vaccinate pets (dogs, cats, ferrets, horses) and bat‑proof homes to reduce risk. For bat‑proofing guidance, see CDC resources referenced by the article.
A rabid bat swooped near Staircase Bridge in Olympic National Park and became tangled in a woman’s hair, prompting officials to warn that she may be at risk for rabies and should seek medical attention. The bat also approached others in the area; anyone with possible contact should contact a healthcare provider and local health department. Park staff advise against handling bats or wild animals, and remind pet owners to consult a veterinarian if a pet may have been exposed.
A bat found near Staircase Bridge in Olympic National Park tested positive for rabies after briefly getting caught in a hiker’s hair. Health officials urged anyone who may have had contact with the bat to seek medical evaluation and contact the Mason County Health Department, noting that the contact area is still being investigated and that bat bites or saliva can transmit rabies. Visitors are advised not to handle wild animals and to contact park staff or healthcare providers if exposure is suspected; rabies is preventable with prompt treatment, and bats play important ecological roles in pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal.
Maryland officials are cautiously optimistic but not yet certain Hunting Creek Lake in Cunningham Falls State Park is safe after two beaver attacks tested positive for rabies; the area remains closed while the DNR conducts fact-finding, searches for more affected animals, and seeks benchmarks before any reopening date is set. Beavers are rarely rabies vectors, but authorities suspect spillover from other wildlife and want to confirm only two animals were involved before guaranteeing public safety.