Kerr County confirms 10th positive rabies case of 2024

Kerr County received news on May 2, that a raccoon from here was positive for rabies, becoming the county’s 10th confirmed case this year.  On April 29, Kerr County Animal Services received a report of a raccoon that appeared to be sick in the backyard of a residence south of Comfort.  On Tuesday, April 30, an animal control officer was dispatched to the scene on Fork Road, collected the animal and sent a specimen to the zoological lab.  “We received confirmation from the lab this morning that the raccoon was, in fact, positive for rabies, according to KCAS Director Reagan Givens.

Since the animal had been in close proximity with the family pet, there was possible exposure for the dog.  As such, KCAS advised the owner of the protocol to be followed.  According to Texas law, if a cat or dog is bitten or has made contact with an animal confirmed to be rabid, then that pet should be humanely euthanized.  Since most pet owners are not willing to do that, they must follow a protocol dictated by whether the pet’s rabies vaccinations were current at the time of exposure.

“Most cases this year have involved the rabid animal venturing into backyards – whether those yards were inside the City limits or out along a country road,” Givens said.  Givens urges all residents to be on the lookout for an animal that might be acting strangely or overly friendly.  Citizens are also reminded to avoid feeding or touching any wild animal, including stray dogs and cats.

The last time there were 10 cases of rabies recorded in Kerr County was in 2014.  In 2015, there were 25 cases, topped in 2016 by a tally of 34 cases, according to Givens.  So far in 2024, Kerr County has had confirmed positive rabies in:  6 skunks, 2 raccoons, 1 fox and a dog that, by law, had to be declared positive because the sample was too damaged for accurate testing.

Anyone who spots an animal acting strangely is asked to make a note of its location, physical description and which direction it may be headed before contacting KCAS at (830) 257-3100.