Central Texas Rabies Cases Up In 2007
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Central Texas Rabies Cases Up In 2007
Rabies was on the rise in Central Texas in 2007.
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(January 22, 2008)--There were 296 laboratory-confirmed animal rabies cases reported in thirty Central Texas Counties in 2007, according to the Department of State Health Service Region 7.

The number of rabies cases has risen the last three years.

In 2005 there were 199 confirmed cases of rabies in the 30 county area, and in 2006 there were 255 confirmed cases.

Rabies was confirmed in 184 bats, 94 skunks, 4 dogs, 3 cats, 3 foxes, 3 horses, 3 raccoons, 1 opossum, and 1 coyote.

Rabies in opossums is extremely rare, but Texas had a documented case this year.

The rabid opossum was reported by a McLennan County resident after he observed its atypical behavior in his yard during daylight hours.

Nationwide, opossums are considered a "low-risk" species in the rabies transmission cycle and also in Texas' rabies control rules.

This rabid opossum serves to remind us that rabies infections are possible even in low-risk animal species.

Counties with laboratory-confirmed rabies cases include: Bastrop (2), Bell (5), Brazos (36), Burleson (5), Burnet (27), Caldwell (1), Coryell (4), Fayette (4), Freestone (5), Grimes (1), Hamilton (1), Hays (2), Lampasas (1), Lee (5), Leon (8), Limestone (2), Madison (5), McLennan (7), Milam (2), Mills (1), Travis (136), Washington (7), and Williamson (28).

The rabies data reported is obtained through a passive reporting system by the health district.

The data is based only on the results of animals submitted for rabies testing.

There are many more animals (particularly wildlife) that die of rabies and are never tested for the disease.

The Texas Department of State Health Services says rabies is endemic in Central Texas, and all counties have rabies risk.
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