In a recent news release from the health department of New Mexico, it was announced that a puppy had tested positive for rabies and had to be euthanized. The puppy, located in Bernalillo County, displayed symptoms such as tremors, lack of coordination, and agitation. Health officials suspect that the puppy may have contracted the virus while in Texas.
As a precautionary measure, six people who were exposed to the puppy received post-exposure rabies shots. This is the first canine rabies case in New Mexico in the last 10 years.
According to the release, young puppies are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases like rabies, parvovirus, and distemper until they have completed their full vaccine series. The puppy had not yet received its rabies vaccine due to its young age.
Similar rabies cases have been reported in other parts of the United States. For instance, Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement in North Carolina reported the county’s third case of rabies this year, and the Racine County Public Health Division in Wisconsin reported its second rabies case after a bat tested positive.
Rabies is a highly contagious virus transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually via a bite. It poses a threat not only to pets but also to humans. Symptoms of rabies infection include fever, headaches, excessive salivation, muscle spasms, confusion, and paralysis. Treatment typically involves a series of rabies shots.
To prevent an outbreak of rabies, it is crucial to vaccinate pets. If an individual has been in contact with the saliva of a potentially rabid animal, immediate emergency treatment should be sought. The veterinarian should be contacted for further instructions, including quarantine and testing of the animal. It is also important for pet owners to ensure that their animals are up-to-date with rabies vaccinations.
Health agencies advise euthanizing animals that test positive for rabies due to its contagious nature. The World Health Organization is currently working on a global effort called Zero by 30 to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. To raise awareness and ensure access to preventive medical treatment, World Rabies Day is observed on September 28.
For more health news, please visit www.foxnews.com/health. Amy McGorry is a contributing health writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow her on Twitter @amymcgorry.
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