Kerr Co. confirms 4 rabies cases in two weeks

Kerr County has confirmed four cases of rabies in wild animals in the past two weeks, raising concerns for county officials.

The county had just four confirmed rabies cases all of last year, officials said.

All four of the rabid animals were skunks, and all were found within the city limits of Kerrville, the county’s largest town. Kerrville is about 65 miles northwest of central San Antonio.

The first case of rabies was confirmed on March 8, in a skunk that was acting abnormally on Tivy Street in Kerrville, according to county officials. The second case was confirmed on March 10, the third on March 15 and the fourth on March 18, according to county officials.

“Stay vigilant, make sure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date against this deadly viral disease, do not feed wild animals and avoid touching any unknown animal, even stray dogs or cats,” Reagan Givens, director of Kerr County Animal Services, said in a written statement.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects mammals. It can be transferred to humans through the bite of a rabid animal, entering the nervous system via infected saliva in a wound, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are about 5,000 cases of animal rabies reported annually, according to the CDC, with more than 90% of those occurring in wild animals.

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing disease in the brain.

It can be fatal if not treated, according to the CDC.

The CDC recommends speaking with a medical professional if you come in contact with any wildlife or unfamiliar animals, especially after a bite or scratch. It can takes weeks after exposure to the virus for symptoms to appear. Symptoms in humans include cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, insomnia and even hydrophobia, which is the fear of water.

Symptoms in animals can be nonspecific at first, but progress to aggression, excessive salivation and self-mutilation, according to the CDC.

Kerr County residents who see animals exhibiting any of those behaviors are asked to report it to animal services at 830-2573100.