The Ellis County Press: 6 confirmed cases result in rabies alert

6 confirmed cases result in rabies alert
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Editor on 02/15/2001 00:00:00


JIM WILLIAMS
Ellis County Press
GARRETT - A banging noise sounded from a neighbor's house at apporoximately 7:15
p.m. Monday, Feb. 5.
Was it an intruder?
Well sort of.
The man of the house was beating on the metal shed in the backyard, attempting
to drive off a skunk, which had gone underneath the structure.
The resident owned dogs and said he had heard of a rabies scare in the area. He
said he didn't want to take any chances.
It wasn't known if this particular wild animal in the neighborhood was rabid.
But there is a distinct possibility skunks trespassing on property and boldly
confronting domestic animals and people could have rabies.
Ellis County Sheriff Ray Stewart said there had been a total of six confirmed
cases of rabies within the past 30 days.
Stewart said three cases were confirmed within the Waxahachie city limits and
three cases reported within the county.
He said the primary carrier is the skunk.
'You are urged to make sure your pets are vaccinated for rabies,' Stewart said.
'You should also try to keep your pets up so they can not come in contact with
skunks.
'If you see skunks in the daytime be sure and call your local animal control
office or law enforcement agency.
'If you have any questions feel free to contact the sheriff's office or your
local veterinarian.'