Jewell County authorities issue Rabies warning

WEBBER, Kan. (KSNW) — Jewell County authorities are warning about Rabies after a farm cat tested positive.

The Jewell County Health Department says the infected animal was found near Webber. It is the county’s first reported Rabies case in 2024.

The department says it’s a reminder of how important vaccinating your animals is to maintain an adequate buffer zone between humans and animals to prevent infection. They urge everyone to ensure their animals, from pets to farm animals, including livestock, have been vaccinated or are up to date on their Rabies boosters.

In Kansas, Rabies is most commonly spread by skunks or bats.

The Jewell County Health Department offers these tips to prevent Rabies exposure:

• Do not handle or feed wild animals.
• Never feed, pet, adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
• Do not try to nurse a sick wild animal. Contact a local rescue group or animal control instead.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domesticated, even if they appear to be friendly.
• If bitten by an animal, seek medical treatment immediately and immediately notify your local health department or animal control.
• If your animal is bitten, contact your veterinarian
• If you wake up in a room with a bat present, regardless of whether or not you believe you or anyone has been bitten or scratched, seek medical attention. If possible, trap the bat for testing; do not release it into the wild.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.