City of New Braunfels issued the following announcement on April 2
The City of New Braunfels Neighborhood Services Division received a positive report of rabies from a raccoon and a fox that were both located in the same neighborhood.
The animals were found within one week of each other in the same neighborhood. The raccoon was picked up from the 600 block of Hannah’s Run on April 1, 2020, and the fox was picked up in the 500 block of Lakeview Blvd. on March 23, 2020. Animal Control Officers have visited with neighbors in the adjacent areas to inform them of the positive case and to confirm there were no exposures. Wild animals are carriers for rabies, but since there were two separate cases within one week of each other in the same neighborhood we are advising the neighbors to ensure their pets are currently vaccinated with a rabies vaccine to protect their pets.
The Neighborhood Services Division has always taken proactive measures to protect the health and safety of the public by rabies testing for high risk rabies carriers (Fox, Skunk, Bat, Raccoon, Coyote) as well as any domestic animals that may be displaying abnormal behavior and or may have had known contact with a high risk rabies carrier. All suspected rabies cases are evaluated based on information gathered from the complainant as well as any known contact or possible contact by humans or domestic pets.
The rabies virus is released in the saliva of an infected animal. An animal usually contracts rabies from the bite of an infected animal. The virus may also enter the body if the mucous membranes (the wet parts of the eyes, nose, or mouth) or a scratch or break in the skin have contact with saliva containing the rabies virus.
Rabies occurs throughout the year in Texas, during all seasons and in all sections of the city and counties. The best form of prevention for the spread of rabies is to have all dogs and cats over 4 months of age, vaccinated for rabies by a veterinarian. In the event you may come across a suspected rabid wild animal or stray cat or dog, stay away and do not attempt to make contact with this animal. Call Animal Services at 830-608-2183 or email us at AnimalServices@nbtexas.org.
The City of New Braunfels Neighborhood Services Division contact is Bryan Ruiz, at 830-221-4070, or email at bruiz@nbtexas.org.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of New Braunfels
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