NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Health officials in New Braunfels and Comal County are urging residents to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals after a cat in the city tested positive for rabies.
Animal welfare officers picked up the cat last week on the 200 block of Cross River Street following reports it was attacking other cats and acting unusually. A rabies test confirmed the infection, according to a city news release.
Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is usually spread through the saliva of an infected animal, often via bites.
In response to the case, the city has suspended its Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) program for feral cats within a one-mile radius of the affected area. The pause will last for four weeks and will only be lifted if no new rabies cases are reported during that time.
Health officials are advising the public to take extra precautions to reduce the risk of rabies:
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Avoid contact with wild animals such as foxes, raccoons, bats, and skunks.
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Keep pets vaccinated against rabies.
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Secure food and trash in sealed containers to avoid attracting wildlife.
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Avoid handling bats. If one enters your home, contain it and call authorities.
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Seek immediate medical help if bitten or scratched by any animal.
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Report unusual behavior in animals, such as disorientation, aggression, or lack of fear of humans.
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Do not touch sick or injured animals.
Before contacting animal control, officials ask residents to observe animals for signs like difficulty walking, circling, unusual aggression, or abnormal tameness.
If you see an animal acting this way, do not approach it. Instead, contact your local animal welfare agency immediately.
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