RABIES ALERT!

In the book "Cujo," by Stephen King, a ferocious, frenzied St. Bernard infected with rabies holds a terrified family trapped inside their car for days.

While that story is fictional and the dog's symptoms are exaggerated, Cujo's physical attributes match the description of a dog with rabies.

Rabies is an infectious disease that destroys the nerve cells on a part of the brain and almost always causes death.

Humans and animals alike can acquire the disease, which causes them to experience pain, burning and numbness at the site of infection. Animals may wander great distances and become aggressive and attack without provocation.

Cape Girardeau County is under the first rabies alert in 11 years after a skunk was found with the disease near Millersville in early March. County and state health officials issued the alert to inform residents that a case of rabies has been reported.

The skunk was discovered when a family dog dragged the animal into a yard in a rural area near Millersville. The dog had been vaccinated.

No other case of rabies has been reported. The county hasn't had a confirmed case of rabies in 11 years, but the disease likely has been present in the wild-animal population.

Rabies is transmitted in the saliva of a rabid animal through biting or scratching.

Left untreated, rabies results in death by paralysis. Treatment for people costs an average of $850 a person. Health department officials estimate that more than $1 million is spent annually on rabies treatment in Missouri.

And while most animal experts say that the alert causes no immediate reason to panic, there are still things pet owners can do to ensure the safety of their pets and those who come into contact with their pets.

Veterinarian Dr. Karen Bangert said that the best precaution against rabies is simple: Keep your pets vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian.

"That's really the best thing to do," she said.

Rabies is a viral disease carried by most mammals. The virus usually lives in the nerve cells and glands of the host carrier.

Dogs, cats and wild animals are common sources of the infection for people. Bangert said the alert should raise awareness of the problem.

"It's potentially always out there," she said. "There's no reason to really panic, but I can't stress enough that if you don't know whether or not your pet has been vaccinated, then get to a veteranarian."

Should a person be bitten by an unknown and possibly rabid animal, Bangert said the first thing they should do is wash the wounds thoroughly with soap and water. Then they should go to the hospital.

"Use common sense," she said. "If it's an unowned animal, always assume that it has rabies and get to a hospital.

Charles Stucker, Cape Girardeau animal control officer, said that if you come across an animal that may have rabies, you should stay away from it.

If you are inside the city limits, call the police department to come and capture the animal. Those outside the city limits should call the sheriff's department or the County Health Department.

Stucker also warns against getting close to dead or dying pets on the side of the road.

"I know it's easy to feel sorry for them, but you never know if they might have rabies," he said.

The word rabies is Latin for rage or fury. The disease probably received its name because infected animals often become excited and attack any object or animal in their way.

There are reported instances where the incubation period has varied from 10 days to over six months, but usually it is three to eight weeks. The period varies with the amount of the virus introduced, the extent of the wound and the abundance of the nerve supply to the area of the wound.

Thus, there may be a shorter incubation period for wounds of the head or neck and for large or deep bite wounds.

To curb the spread of the disease, all household pets, especially dogs and cats, should be vaccinated against rabies. Those animals with up-to-date vaccinations will be protected.

Suspect animals should be reported to local animal control agents, veterinarians or the health department.

Fast facts on rabies

Rabies in people

* Sense of apprehension, headache, sensory changes at the site of the bite

* Paralysis of the throat muscles resulting in spasms when drinking

* Delirium and convulsions follow, terminating in death due to respiratory paralysis

Rabies in dogs -- furious type

* Disposition changes -- either more affectionate or more irritable than normal.

* Wanders restlessly -- may snap or bite at any object.

* Swallows indigestible objects, such as sticks and stones.

* Refuses food, swallows with difficulty.

* Salivates excessively, especially late in the disease.

* Voice changes, utters strange cries and howls.

* Paralysis usually follows, with death in about 48 hours.

Rabies in dogs -- dumb type

* Paralysis in the muscles of the head, neck and throat

* Swallows or chews with great difficulty

* Lower jaw drops

* Appears to have a bone or other object in the throat

Rabies in cats

Cats ordinarily develop furious rabies. They will commonly hide in bushes, corners, under automobiles, or other objects, then attack passers-by.

Rabies in horses and cattle

* Constant bawling, voice change

* Paralysis of the throat, the animal often acts choked

* Increased sex desire

* Increased straining to urinate or defecate

* Bites or rubs at the site of the wound