LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Department of Health
(ADH) confirmed Tuesday that a cow died last week of rabies near Kingston in
Madison County.
Rabies in Arkansas is most often found in skunks. Reports of
cattle being infected with rabies are uncommon, but in 2012 there were three in the state. This is the first one reported for 2013 but 14
skunks and one dog have already tested positive as well.
This beef cow undoubtedly got infected by a bite from a rabid skunk,
probably 4-12 weeks before showing any symptoms. Rabies is not transmitted to people through
cooked beef or pasteurized milk. Pasteurization and cooking will kill the rabies
virus, so drinking pasteurized milk or eating
animal products - so long as they are thoroughly cooked - does not put you in danger of rabies exposure.
Susan
Weinstein, DVM, Arkansas Public Health veterinarian, said that the presence of
rabies in one animal in the area is a warning sign.
"What we know is that when
we find a cow or a skunk with rabies in a local area, there are usually more rabid
skunks in the wild that will never be discovered," Weinstein said. "That puts
the local animal population at risk, especially dogs, cats and livestock."
If you think
you have become exposed to an animal with rabies, wash your wound thoroughly
with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. Contact your
physician and county health unit immediately to report the incident. The
animal in question should be captured, if possible, without damaging its head or risking further exposure.
What can you do to protect yourselves against
rabies?
- Be sure your dogs and cats are up-to-date on
their rabies vaccinations
- Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals
- Keep family pets indoors at night
- Bat-proof your home or summer camp in the
fall or winter (The majority of human rabies cases are caused by bat bites.)
- Encourage children to immediately tell an
adult if any animal bites them
- Teach children to avoid wildlife, strays and all
other animals they do not know well
Report all
animal bites or contact with wild animals to the local health unit. Do not let
any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to rabies. Depending on the
species, an animal can be observed or tested for rabies in order to avoid the
need for rabies treatment.
For more information, call your county Health Unit, or
Dr. Weinstein at (501) 280-4136.
