2nd positive rabies case in a week confirmed in Kerr County

A second case of rabies has been confirmed within a week’s time in Kerrville, according to Kerr County Animal Services Director Reagan Givens.

The rabies was identified in a skunk found deceased in a resident’s backyard on Ridgemont Lane in Kerrville.

“Our office received a report of the animal on Sunday, March 10, and our animal control officer collected the specimen and took steps to preserve the sample’s viability before sending it off to the zoological lab for testing on Monday, March 11,” Givens said. “We received confirmation Wednesday morning that the animal was, indeed, suffering from rabies.”

There was possible exposure to the resident’s two dogs, and steps will be taken in keeping with protocol.

According to Texas law, if a cat or dog is bitten or has made contact with an animal known to be a rabies carrier, then that pet should be humanely euthanized, Givens said. “Most pet owners are unwilling to do that, so they then must follow a protocol that depends on if the pet’s rabies vaccinations were current at the time of exposure,” he added.”

If the pet has been previously vaccinated against rabies, then they should be revaccinated immediately and restrained or confined for a period of 45 days.

If the exposed pet has not been previously vaccinated against rabies, then they should get vaccinated immediately and be placed in strict isolation for 90 days, with booster shots given in the third and eighth weeks of isolation.

“These steps may seem drastic, but they are required by the law and are necessary to prevent the possible spread of this deadly, viral disease,” Givens said. “The fact that we have received two confirmed positive cases of rabies within a week just underscores how important it is for citizens to make sure their family pets are up to date on their shots.”

“You don’t have to be out in the country to be at risk of exposure,” he added. “Both of these cases were found within residential sections of the city of Kerrville. Since you never know when you might encounter a rabid animal, we recommend that you refrain from touching any unknown animal as well as not feed wild animals or feral cats and dogs.”

“Instead,” Givens added, “please make a note of the animal’s description, its exact location and the direction it may be heading when you saw it last and call our office at 830-247-3100 to report it to us.”

Suspected cases of rabies may also be reported to the Zoonosis Control office in San Antonio at 210-949-2048,

The first case of 2024 for Kerr County was identified – also in a skunk in Kerrville – on Friday, March 8.