Rabies advisory issued after Wayne County horse case

WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. -- An increase in the number of rabies cases has area veterinarians and health officials on alert.

Between 2008 and 2012, four skunks tested positive for rabies during January and February, according to a health advisory from Dr. Howard Pue, state public health veterinarian for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Four confirmed cases have been reported since Jan. 1, all in the southeastern portion of the state. No cases have been reported in any other part of Missouri.

The first three were skunks in Douglas, Howell and Ste. Genevieve counties. The most recent positive test came from a Wayne County horse.

The American Quarter Horse from near Williamsville was first treated by Dr. Cathy Hicks at Hicks Animal Hospital. The animal was "tied up," laying down in its trailer. The owner believed it had gotten sick quickly several days before.

Hicks determined the animal was not suffering a muscle disease, but without a facility to hospitalize it, the owner transported it to a veterinarian in Kentucky.

The animal continued to deteriorate and became slightly aggressive before dying. The horse was treated by Hicks on a Thursday last month; by Monday its head had been removed for testing.

Wayne County then was placed under a 90-day rabies alert.

Chris Grider, Butler County Health Department environmental public health specialist, said an advisory was issued because of a "dramatic increase in the number of cases."

"It's almost unheard of for this time of year," he said. "According to Dr. Pue, I don't think they've had this many in a long, long time, in this time period.

"I don't understand what's causing it. I'm not sure they do," Grider said. "I think the lab has even been in contact with the Missouri Department of Conservation to see if there's movement among the animals that's abnormal."

Pue's advisory said skunk mating season could be a factor.

"Mating season for skunks begins in February and continues through March, according to MDC, and the roaming behavior of males can certainly account for the early transmission and appearance of this disease in skunks," he wrote.

Grider said the animals also may be more active because of mild weather.

While rabies is more prevalent among smaller animals, most mammals can contract it, although horses are less common.

"Horses will try to get away from something they see as fear," Hicks said.

Hicks described wild animals as the "reservoir" in which the disease remains active.

Raccoons, skunks and opossums are some of the most common carriers.

People should be cautious of any sort of "unusual" behavior from wild animals, according to Hicks. If a nocturnal animal is very active during the day or a wild animal is willing to approach humans, something may be wrong.

"I would not ignore it," Hicks said. "Someone else might be exposed later."

Grider recommends keeping a distance from wild animals in general.

"I love wild animals, but there's a risk there," he said. "It's like feeding the snake, ... some day the snake is going to bite."

He also advises calling animal control or law enforcement for a problem animal. His department has an agreement with Hicks, Hillcrest Animal Hospital and Animal Care Center, offering to ship the remains of any animal needing to be tested.

The horse was not vaccinated, which is effective in preventing spread of the disease among domesticated animals, according to Hicks. While many cat and dog owners vaccinate their pets, some neglect livestock.

Several states, including New York, require horses to be vaccinated before they can enter the state.

For more information about rabies, visit health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/rabies/index.php.

Pertinent address:

Williamsville, Mo.