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Two skunks have tested positive for rabies in Fort Bend County. Animal Control says the skunks were found in Beasley and the City of Needville.
"Although the incidence of rabies is low among domestic animals in the United States, with the occurrence of wildlife rabies comes the increased risk for infection of humans," said Vernon Abschneider, Animal Control director.
Fort Bend Animal Control is urging pet owners to keep all animals undated on vaccinations. All dogs and cats over three months of age should be immunized against rabies on an annual basis. Pet owners should not leave food out to keep from attracting wildlife or rodents.
"It is also important to keep your animals restrained and not allow them to roam freely as this will further protect them from confrontation with wildlife," said Abschneider.
Skunks usually come out at night, so if you see one during the day, it's possible they are rabid. All daytime sightings should be reported to your local Animal Control office.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system, or the brain and spinal cord. You can get rabies if you are bitten by an infected animal or if infected saliva or tissue gets into a fresh wound. Early symptoms of rabies includes: irritability, headache, fever and itching or pain at the site of the bite. The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
If you are bitten by an animal and suspect you might be infected, wash the bite with a lot of soap and water and then call your doctor immediately. Your doctor can give you rabies immune globulin and a series of rabies vaccinations to prevent infection.
To contact Fort Bend County Animal Control, call 281-342-1512.
"Although the incidence of rabies is low among domestic animals in the United States, with the occurrence of wildlife rabies comes the increased risk for infection of humans," said Vernon Abschneider, Animal Control director.
Fort Bend Animal Control is urging pet owners to keep all animals undated on vaccinations. All dogs and cats over three months of age should be immunized against rabies on an annual basis. Pet owners should not leave food out to keep from attracting wildlife or rodents.
"It is also important to keep your animals restrained and not allow them to roam freely as this will further protect them from confrontation with wildlife," said Abschneider.
Skunks usually come out at night, so if you see one during the day, it's possible they are rabid. All daytime sightings should be reported to your local Animal Control office.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system, or the brain and spinal cord. You can get rabies if you are bitten by an infected animal or if infected saliva or tissue gets into a fresh wound. Early symptoms of rabies includes: irritability, headache, fever and itching or pain at the site of the bite. The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
If you are bitten by an animal and suspect you might be infected, wash the bite with a lot of soap and water and then call your doctor immediately. Your doctor can give you rabies immune globulin and a series of rabies vaccinations to prevent infection.
To contact Fort Bend County Animal Control, call 281-342-1512.
