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3-28-2008

ANIMAL VACCINATIONS CAN PROTECT HUMANS AGAINST GROWING RABIES THREAT

West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is urging residents to have their pets vaccinated against rabies and to consider vaccinating valuable livestock against the disease, which is widespread throughout much of the Mountain State.

State law requires dog and cat owners to vaccinate their pets every other year, a simple and inexpensive safeguard against a common but extremely dangerous disease.

 “Rabies is a threat to any warm-blooded animal and the public should be observant of any abnormalities in their farm animals, pets or wildlife,” said Commissioner Douglass. “Wild animals that behave in an unusual or aggressive manner should be avoided and reported to the local health department. Livestock with similar symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.”

West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) State Veterinarian Joe Starcher said many people don’t give rabies the respect it deserves.

“People seem to be less fearful of rabies because it’s a familiar disease that has been around for a long time, but it’s not a matter to be taken lightly,” said Dr. Starcher. “Rabies is an extremely dangerous disease to all mammals and is always fatal if left untreated. It is carried by a wide variety of wild animals – especially raccoons, skunks and bats – and those wild animals can infect unvaccinated pets and livestock, which can then transmit the disease to unsuspecting humans.”

Dr. Starcher noted that approved rabies vaccines are available for cattle, sheep and horses. “Those with valuable animals should definitely consider vaccinating them. A couple of dollars for a vaccination is a small price to pay to protect your investment,” he said.

WVDA has participated in a program in recent years to help slow the westward spread of rabies in raccoons. USDA-Wildlife Service’s Oral Rabies Vaccination program has air-dropped nearly two million vaccine-laden baits throughout West Virginia annually since the program was started here in 2001.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.

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