South Dakota Animal Rabies Cases Grow to 29 in 2015
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Department of Health says the number of animal rabies cases in the state was up in 2015.
The agency said Thursday that keeping pets up to date on their vaccinations is the best way to protect against rabies.
State epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger says rabies is a cyclical disease with cases periodically rising and falling.
There were 29 animal rabies cases in 2015, which is up from 21 in 2014. Rabies was detected in 2015 in nine domestic animals and 20 wild animals.
The domestic animals included six cattle, two cats and one dog. State public health veterinarian Russ Daly says skunks are the main reservoir of rabies in South Dakota.
Daly says rabies vaccinations can protect a person and can save the life of a pet.
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