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McDonald County health director warns of rabies after unusual animal behavior reported
Summary
Mike Hall, McDonald County Health Department director, told the commission March 20 the county has seen animals with unusual behavior and that a couple of animals tested positive for rabies; he urged residents to contact the Health Department for testing procedures.
Mike Hall, director of the McDonald County Health Department, told the McDonald County Commission on March 20 that the county has seen an increase in animals displaying unusual behavior and said a couple of animals have tested positive for rabies.
Why it matters: Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can spread from animals to people and domestic pets; Hall said residents should contact the Health Department to learn the proper steps to have animals tested and handled to reduce risk.
Hall told the commission that when an animal is acting out of the ordinary it is important to contact the Health Department for guidance. "If an animal is acting unusual, it is important to contact the Health Department for information on proper procedures to have the animal tested," he said.
The minutes record that Hall described both an uptick in unusual animal behavior and that a small number of animals have tested positive for rabies; the exact number is described in the minutes as "a couple" and is treated here as approximate. The Health Department did not provide further statistical details or specific locations tied to the positive tests in the minutes.
The commission did not take a formal vote related to the health report during the meeting; the discussion was recorded as an informational update. The commission adjourned and reconvened on March 25, 2024.
