Authorities from the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment remind Kansans to make sure to vaccinate pets after two recent cases of rabies in cats.

 

 The two cases of rabies were reported in the past month in outdoor barn cats in Jewell County in northwest Kansas and Harvey County, north of Wichita. The two felines exposed other cats and multiple humans to the disease. The humans who were exposed have started treatment of post-rabies exposure drugs to prevent the development of the disease.

 

Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted to other animals and humans via bites or scratches. There have been a total of six rabies cases in cats in Kansas this year as well as several cases reported in wildlife.

 

The state agriculture department says all pets should be vaccinated for rabies, including strictly indoor cats and outdoor farm cats.