UPDATE: Carson City residents are undergoing preventative treatment for rabies after being exposed to a puppy that tested positive for the disease. At this time, Carson City Health and Human Services is investigating the origin of this rabies exposure.
The infected puppy, a boxer/collie mix from a litter of 10 born Dec. 9, 2013, was purchased in January from a private owner in the Minden/Gardnerville area via Facebook.
Agencies that are assisting in this investigation include: Nevada Department of Agriculture, Douglas County Animal Services, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health Office of Epidemiology, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). People get rabies from the bite of an animal with the disease. You can also be exposed to rabies if infected saliva or tissue containing rabies gets into a fresh wound (one that has bled within 24 hours) or the eyes, nose or mouth. It has been over 20 years since a dog has been reported of having rabies in Nevada.
Carson City Health Officials remind residents that rabies in pets is preventable with a vaccine if administered prior to the animal being exposed. Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies, foaming at the mouth and paralysis.
Carson City Health and Human Services urges the following precautions:
• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets are immunized. Dogs and cats should get initial rabies vaccines beginning at 12 weeks of age and additional boosters over the animal’s lifetime.
• Confine all pets or keep them on a leash.
• All persons, especially children, are warned to avoid all sick or injured animals.
• All stray or wild animals should be avoided.
If you think you have been bitten by a rabid animal wash the wound with soap and water for five minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
If you believe that you may have a puppy from this litter or that your animal has been exposed to rabies, contact Carson City Health & Human Services immediately at (775) 887- 2190.