More rabies reported in Wichita County

Wichita County Public Health District has been notified that two animals have tested positive for rabies, bring the total in the county this year to three.

The Texas Department of State Health Services said an 8-month-old calf owned by a person in Burkburnett was sold to someone in another county and the animal died of rabies.

"There is no known exposure while the calf was still in Burkburnett," the health district said in a news release.

The second animal was a skunk found in downtown Burkburnett in daylight hours. 

The first rabies case this year was reported in Wichita Falls April 16 when a rabid skunk was found in a residential backyard.

"Any exposure to wild animals, alive or dead, in particularly, bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes (which are the top five carriers of the virus in Texas) should be avoided," the health district said. 

The district urges people to call their local animal control office if they observe a wild or domestic animal appearing sick, fearless or aggressive.

The district also offered these tips:

• Ensure all pets are current on their rabies vaccinations
• Don’t let pets roam free. 
• Stay away from all wild animals and unknown dogs and cats.
• Do not handle bats, dead or alive
• Teach your children to report all bites, scratches and encounters with a wild or unknown animals.