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Authorities confirm a “species jump” of rabies to a domestic cat in Uruguay
Uruguay’s Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday that a domestic cat in the city of Salto (northwest) tested positive for the rabies virus, detected since 2008 only in bats, which represents the first “species jump” of the disease confirmed in the country.
Uruguayan authorities are investigating a case of bat rabies in a cat. (Photo Prensa Libre: Unsplash)
According to a statement issued by the Uruguayan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MGAP), the Veterinary Laboratories Division (DILAVE) reported on Friday night the positive result of a PCR test performed on a cat.
“It is a domestic animal in which an acute change in behavior with aggressiveness was observed, which died suddenly,” he said regarding the feline “resident in the city of Salto.”
According to the statement, although in the South American country “the last case of human rabies was recorded in 1966 in Montevideo” and the last case of canine rabies was detected in 1983, its circulation has been detected in bats.
“It has been present in an airborne cycle in hematophagous and insectivorous bats since 2008 in almost all departments (provinces), which represented a latent risk of potential transmission of the disease to other species and to humans,” the Ministry said.
The ministry said that its presence in a cat “constitutes the first confirmation of a jump in species” in Uruguay, and warned the population that “it is necessary to understand the importance of this situation” in order to “manage it appropriately.”
Although, he pointed out, “various actions have been implemented in recent years to strengthen knowledge of this disease and its control measures,” he stressed that it is key to understand that “it is not a disease of the past” and that “its evolution in humans if not treated properly is lethal.”
“It is necessary to ensure that our pets are vaccinated, to avoid bite accidents and to seek immediate medical attention in the event of any risk exposure,” he stressed.
Along these lines, the ministry reported that its teams and those of the MGAP are working “to control the outbreak” with the “primary objective” of avoiding new cases and urged the population of the department of Salto to be alert for suspected cases, to consult a doctor in the event of bites and to vaccinate pets.
“Although post-exposure rabies vaccination is free, it is only administered with a medical prescription. It is important to make good use of this input since it is a resource produced outside the country,” he warned.
Case of animal rabies detected in Salto.
The Directorate of Veterinary Laboratories #DILAVE of the #MGAP confirmed a positive case of rabies in a cat resident in the city of Salto. MORE INFORMATION👇https://t.co/OdWKBTEFQj— MGAP (@MGAPeruguay) July 6, 2024
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