Horse tests positive for rabies in Cobleskill

COBLESKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A horse tested positive for rabies near Lawyersville Road in Cobleskill. The Schoharie County Department of Health announced the positive test results from Wadsworth Laboratory on Friday, January 5.

Untreated, rabies is fatal in mammals like horses, dogs, and humans. The CDC says that It spreads through direct contact with saliva or brain tissue from a rabid animal, and that different strains exist in bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and mongooses. State law requires rabied vaccinations for all dogs, cats, and ferrets.

Contact your county health department if you think you've contacted a rabid animal. To limit your risk factors, Schoharie County DOH advised:

• Vaccinate your pets and livestock
  • Quarantine unvaccinated pets for six months after potentially rabid animal contact
  • Get boosters for vaccinated pets within five days of potentially rabid animal contact
• Report strange wildlife behavior
• Cover garbage cans tightly
• Do not feed or approach strays or wild animals
• Do not store food outside
• Report all animal bites and any contact with bats to your county DOH
• Teach kids to tell an adult they're bitten or scratched by an animal