rabies

Pet and livestock owners are being reminded about the importance of vaccinations after a rabid bat was found in Rock Springs for the first time since 2007. That's according to a release from the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's spokesman Jason Mower says the bat was found in the yard of a home in North Rock Springs...

Last year, there were 14 confirmed cases of animal rabies across the state, including five in bats. This year there have been three confirmed cases in Sheridan.

On October 5 at around 2:00 pm, a woman was bitten by a medium-sized mixed-breed dog with black, brown, and white fur in the 1900 block of VanBuren Street. The dog was unleashed, appeared uncollared and no owners seemed to be in the area...

Rabies is a highly contagious viral infection that can be fatal to humans as well as other mammals.

People are being warned to make sure their pets are vaccinated against rabies and to avoid suspicious-looking animals, especially bats that are on the ground.

She stresses that the City of Riverton requires a current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian as well as a city dog license.

They got bit while trying to brush the bat away.

Reported cases are very likely only the tip of the iceberg since the big majority of rabid animals go undetected.

Gary Hickman says rabies cases are not usually seen in Laramie County until the summer months, so the cases that have turned up already this year are a concern.

Public health officials say 13 people were treated for rabies as a precautionary measure, and there is no early indication that anyone was bitten.