Release Date: October 2, 2008
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
or Lisa Norwood, Animal Care Services Public Information Officer, 315-3130
Residents Advised to Vaccinate Pets for Rabies
Second local case of rabies in a domestic animal confirmed
The City of San Antonio's Animal Care Services Department and Metro Health
have confirmed the second case of rabies in a domestic animal in Bexar County in the
last three months. Like the previous incident from July, the latest case involves a pet
kitten that was not vaccinated against the deadly but preventable disease.
“It’s imperative everyone understands the importance of vaccinating your pet
against rabies,” says Animal Care Services Director Jef Hale. “Rabies vaccinations
safeguard you, your family, your pet and our community against this deadly disease.
That is why up-to-date vaccinations are required by both City and State law.”
The current case involves a six-month old, unvaccinated kitten that bit his owner.
The man reported seeing a skunk in his neighborhood but was unsure if his kitten had
come in contact with the animal. Thus, the owner received medical care and the animal
was submitted to Animal Care Services for rabies testing. Lab results from Metro Health
confirmed the kitten had rabies.
As ACS continues educational efforts already underway, the department will
return to the northwest side neighborhood on Friday, October 3, to distribute
informational flyers to residents.
“These two cases of rabies in domestic cats are unusual and are of concern.
Thus far this year, we have confirmed 17 cases of rabies in Bexar County, with the
majority of those occurring in bats and skunks and one in a raccoon,” said Dr. Fernando
A. Guerra, director of Metro Health. “I can not overemphasize the importance of pet
owners taking appropriate care of their pets and limiting their pet’s contact with wildlife.
People also need to be extremely careful not to handle wildlife. Children, in particular,
should be reminded of the dangers of handling any animals they do not know,
especially bats during this migration season.”
Rabies is a potentially fatal viral disease that is spread by contact with infected
saliva or neural tissue, primarily through a bite but in certain rare cases through non-bite
exposures like abrasions or scratches. The virus infects the central nervous system
eventually causing death in nearly all cases if not prevented with the rabies vaccine.
Currently, there is a nationwide temporary shortage of the human rabies vaccine
due to manufacturing issues. As a result, the vaccine is only available to individuals who
have been exposed and are at high risk of contracting rabies. Because of the limited
supply, it is even more critical for local residents to have their pets vaccinated against
the rabies virus.
All animal bites must be reported to Animal Care Services. The 24-hour Bite
Emergency line is 207-6667.
For more information on rabies, visit www.dshs.state.tx.us.
