Kerr County adds another rabies case to 2024 roster

A “banner” year for rabies cases seems to be continuing as the local rabies authority -- Kerr County Animal Services -- reported today, May 29, that it had posted a 13th case of the viral disease.

“In this latest instance, we received a call about a dead skunk at a family residence on Bobwhite Drive in Kerrville,” said KCAS Director Reagan Givens.

An animal control officer was dispatched to the scene, where the specimen was collected, packaged up and sent to the zoological lab for testing all on the same day that the call came in – Thursday, May 23.

“We received word this morning from the lab that the specimen was deemed ‘untestable’,” Givens said. “When that happens, we are required to record that case as a positive – the thought being that it is better to be safe than sorry. So, we are obligated to make the presumption of positive in the interest of public safety.”

This is the second case of 2024 in which the sample was declared untestable and, thus, positive for rabies. That other case involved a dog that had run off its home property and bitten a neighbor.

Aside from this most recent skunk and that dog, the tally of true confirmed cases of rabies this year include 7 skunks, 2 raccoons and 2 fox.

“We’ve had enough cases of rabies this year that it should be apparent to everyone by now of the importance of making sure your family pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations,” Givens said. “We also continue to emphasize the importance of staying away from any wild animals, and that includes stray cats and dogs. Please, don’t try to feed them and do not try to touch them.”

Rabies is a deadly, neurological disease that is carried by mammals and can be transferred to humans from animals such as bats, fox, raccoons, skunks, etc.

In this past week’s case, a family dog had been exposed to the deceased skunk. KCAS notified the pet’s owner of the proper protocol to be followed, as it is strictly dictated by state law according to whether or not the pet had been current on its rabies shot.

Anyone who spots an animal behaving out of character or sick should make a note of its physical description, its exact location and which direction, if any, it seems to be heading, Givens said. Then, call that information into the Kerr County Animal Services office at 830-257-3100. If the call is made after normal business hours, please phone in the information to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office at 830-896-1216.