Health department urging livestock owners to consider vaccinations for animals
From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Garrett County Health Department is urging livestock owners to consider rabies vaccinations for their animals after a horse in the Oakland area tested positive for the rabies virus Monday.
The horse exhibited symptoms of illness April 7 and, after attempting to treat the symptoms for several days, the decision was made to euthanize the horse and test it for rabies. The Department of Health and Hygiene Rabies Laboratory in Baltimore reported a positive test Monday.
The horse’s owner developed a list of people who had possible exposure to the virus. As a result, nine people are receiving post-exposure treatment for rabies. In addition, all the cats, dogs and remaining horses on the property are being vaccinated or re-vaccinated. The animals will be observed for 45 days.
Livestock owners should contact their veterinarian for recommendations on vaccinating, as Maryland law does not require livestock to be vaccinated except for those that appear in petting zoos, fairs and similar events.
Maryland law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets older than 4 months to be vaccinated against rabies.
Low-cost rabies clinics are scheduled as follows:
• May 6 to 10, all from 5 to 6 p.m. — May 6, Grantsville Elementary; May 7, Gorman Volunteer Fire Department; May 8, Accident Elementary; May 9, Friendsville Elementary; May 10, Bloomington Volunteer Fire Department.
• May 11, 10 a.m. to noon — Garrett County Health Department.
The clinics are available for all dogs, cats and ferrets 3 months and older. Pets need to be restrained when brought to the clinic.
This is the first confirmed case of rabies reported in Garrett County this year. In 2012, there were six confirmed cases, four in raccoons and two in skunks.
