New Mexico - Eddy County: 12 people under rabies treatment, 32 dogs euthanized
New Mexico - Eddy County: 12 people under rabies treatment, 32 dogs euthanized
32 dogs euthanized for rabies exposure
12-people under rabies treatment in Eddy County
Updated: Thursday, 01 Mar 2012, 6:08 PM MST
Published : Thursday, 01 Mar 2012, 6:08 PM MST
Gabrielle Burkhart
CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) - A deadly disease is spreading like wildfire across one part of the state.
At least 32 pet dogs had to be euthanized because they were exposed to rabies in Eddy County. Twelve people also had to be treated after they were exposed.
It's a shot that's over in seconds, and local vets in Eddy County have recently been administering them by the hundreds. This, after a
recent rabies outbreak in the County.
At Desert Willow Veterinary Services in Carlsbad it's $10 to vaccinate a horse for rabies.
"A horse to me is no different than a dog or a cat or sometimes even my kids," said horse owner Raynell Rogers. "It's a cheap investment for a big investment you have on an animal."
The Department of Health reports at least 32 dogs as well as a cat and even sheep have been put down since December because of rabies exposure.
During that same period 22 skunks, a fox and a dog tested positive for the disease.
More...
http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/health/32-dogs-euthanized-for-rabies-exposure
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Aimee Barabe
February 29, 2012 Cell: 505-470-2290
Thirty-two Carlsbad Dogs Euthanized Due to Rabies Exposures
Deaths could have been prevented with proper vaccination
(Santa Fe) ? The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting that 32 pet dogs from the Carlsbad area have been euthanized since December 2011 because they were exposed to known rabid animals and were not vaccinated against rabies. With the exception of puppies that were too young to be fully vaccinated, all of these deaths could have been prevented. Rabies vaccination of dogs and cats is mandated by state law.
In addition to dogs, a number of livestock and at least one cat have also been euthanized due to rabies exposures. Unvaccinated pets put people, especially children, at greater risk of being exposed to this fatal disease. Since January 1, 2012, a total of 12 people from Eddy county have received rabies post exposure prophylaxis.
?The needless deaths of family pets emphasizes how important it is for them to be vaccinated against rabies,? said Dr. Catherine Torres, Cabinet Secretary for Department of Health. ?Not only does vaccination prevent your pet from getting rabies, it also protects your children, family, and community. Unvaccinated pets can be exposed to a rabid wild animal and bring a very dangerous and fatal disease into your home.?
Eddy County is currently experiencing an animal rabies outbreak. Since December 2011, twenty-two skunks, one dog, and one fox have tested positive for rabies in the Carlsbad area.
?This is one of the most concentrated outbreaks of rabies that has been seen in New Mexico for decades, ? said Dr. Paul Ettestad, the Department of Health?s public health veterinarian. ?Everyone should encourage their family and their neighbors to have their pets vaccinated against rabies to protect their community.?
More...
http://nmhealth.org/ERD/HealthData/documents/NewsRelease_DogsRabiesCarlsbad_2-29-12.pdf
