What We Know: Health officials are reminding Missourians to be careful around wild animals as reports of rabies exposures increase across the country.
What It Means: The CDC says eight states have reported increases in people exposed to rabid or potentially rabid animals since July. Rabies-related inquiries were also up 17 percent in July and August compared with the same period last year.
The warning hits close to home. Bats found in Greene County have recently tested positive for rabies.
Missouri commonly sees the virus in bats and skunks. Health officials say people should stay away from wild animals that are acting strangely, including animals that appear aggressive, lose their balance or are active at unusual times.
What’s Next: They’re also reminding pet owners to keep rabies vaccinations up to date.
Rabies attacks the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin.
Anyone who may have been bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to a potentially rabid animal should contact a healthcare provider right away rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
(Photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control)