Kerr County Has Second, Third Rabies Cases Confirmed

Kerr County, Texas, has announced that its second and third positive rabies cases of 2023 have been confirmed as of Wednesday, April 19.

Kerr County Animal Services Director Reagan Givens said both a bat and raccoon were reported to his department on Sunday, April 16. His animal control officers collected the samples the same day, preserved them properly and then sent them to the lab for testing on Monday, April 17. Confirmation that both animals were positive for rabies came Wednesday.

The case that would become the county’s second rabies positive of the year involved a deceased bat reported by a resident on Oak Way who found it on their property.

The case that would become the county’s third rabies positive case of the year involved a raccoon that a property owner first observed and then reported to animal control saying it appeared to be acting ill. The animal was dispatched on Johnson Drive.

“Fortunately, in both cases neither pets nor humans were exposed to the suspect animals,” Givens said. “But both cases also show us just how much we never know when a wild animal will turn up at our homes and how important it is for us to make sure our pets are vaccinated against rabies.”

“If you see a wild animal or even an unfamiliar, possibly stray dog or cat, do not feed them or make any close contact with them. Instead, please make a note of the area they are located, which direction they might be heading and then call Kerr County Animal Services with that information. Just call us at 830-257-3100,” Givens said.