STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed Wednesday the state’s first rabies case in a land animal since 1961.
The case was found in a feral cat in Starkville. The MSDH described the cat as a small, black-and-white kitten.
Exposures to the cat were reported in downtown Starkville and in a remote area near the north end of the Mississippi State University campus.
Testing confirmed it was infected with rabies.
Health officials urged anyone who may have been bitten or scratched by a wild cat of this description in this area within the past 10 days should immediately see a doctor or call the MSDH Office of Epidemiology at (601) 576-7725. There is no longer a public health risk, the MSDH said.
Rabies, which is typically spread to humans by biting, is a viral infection that is usually fatal once symptoms appear. It is preventable if post-exposure shots are administered.
The MSDH gave the following advice for protecting yourself against rabies:
- Do not handle or touch live or dead feral animals, animals you do not know or wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes and coyotes that can carry rabies.
- If you see an animal acting strangely, contact your local Animal Control officials.
- Vaccinate animals when your dog or cat has reached 3 months of age, one year later and every three years thereafter (using a vaccine approved with three-year immunity), as required by state law.