Man, dog attacked by bobcats with rabies in New Mexico

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Department of Health has confirmed that two bobcats have tested positive for rabies in New Mexico. One case was detected in Grant County, and the other was in Sierra County.

According to the DOH, a man was attacked by one of the bobcats near his house in Grant County and is now getting shots to prevent rabies from developing. The second bobcat with rabies attacked a dog in Sierra County; the dog was up to date on his rabies vaccine, according to the DOH, and will be monitored for 45 days.

To stay safe from rabies, the DOH recommends the following:

• Keep pets on leash and up to date with rabies vaccinations. If your cat or dog has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, contact your veterinarian.
• Consider getting rabies vaccinations for horses and other livestock.
• Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals.
• If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound with soap and water, report the bite to local animal control, and seek medical care.
• If you are exposed to the saliva of wild animals, seek medical care and contact the DOH’s helpline at 833-796-8773.

The Department of Health reminds community members that any wild animals seen acting sick or abnormally should be reported to local animal control officers or the Department of Game and Fish. The DOH has more information about rabies at this link .

“State law requires all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies, a deadly viral disease that can be prevented but not cured. Unvaccinated pets exposed to a rabid animal must either be euthanized or put into strict isolation for four months to prevent them from exposing people to rabies.”

State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps, DVM, MPH

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