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Bay Area Officials Warn of Rabies Risk as Drought Worsens

The record-breaking water crisis in California has led to agricultural and economic problems, but another side effect of the drought has emerged: an increase in the risk of rabies.

San Mateo County health officials are warning residents that as summer approaches, more wild animals are looking for water and coming closer to homes. This drought-amplified trend endangers humans and pets who may be spending more time outside.

To raise awareness about the heightened rabies risk this summer, San Mateo County is launching a campaign called "Protect Your Pets - Vaccinate Them," which will be featured in public places such as billboards, public transportation, TV and movie theater advertising, and through digital
and direct outreach.

"Getting your pet vaccinated is the only way to protect them and the entire community against rabies, which is 100 percent fatal in animals and usually fatal in people if not treated right away," Dr. Julia Wang-Lewis, veterinarian at Humane Society Silicon Valley, said in a statement.

Rabies can be spread and transmitted via saliva from animal bites. Pets, after contracting the disease, may also spread the disease to other humans and animals they interact with.

County health officials stress that the disease is 100 percent preventable and urge the public to take responsibility for their pets, their families, and themselves by getting their pets vaccinated for rabies.

A few weeks ago a mountain lion made its way into a San Mateo neighborhood. The California Fish and Wildlife Department believes it was likely looking for food and water. And while that cat was healthy, experts say common carriers of rabies like bats and rodents may also search for water in more populated areas.

Veterinary neurologist David Geiger says there's no treatment for dogs once they have been infected. "Rather than just being near animals there has to be some sort of interaction, and any time wild animals are close to our pets, there's a chance for that to happen," he said.

So far this year in Santa Clara County, six bats have tested positive for rabies, compared to eight in 2014. In Alameda County, 11 bats have tested positive for rabies since January — that's up from only two last year. No dogs in California have died from Rabies this year.

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