State advises pet, livestock owners to vaccinate after highest spike of disease since ’50s.
Moved by a spike in rabies cases unprecedented since the 1950s, the state Department of Agriculture has issued an advisory that includes livestock as well as household pets such as cats and dogs.
Many of the cases are concentrated in Metro Detroit, experts said Sunday. The spike represents a more than 200 percent increase in the disease since 2006.
Cases climbed to 169 so far this year, compared with 49 animal cases in 2006, according to state agriculture officials. The disease is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system of mammals, including humans.
State officials urge owners and veterinarians to make sure pets, livestock and horses are vaccinated against rabies and say veterinarians, animal control agencies or law enforcement authorities should be contacted if it is suspected an animal may be infected.
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