According to numerous news reports, the New Mexico Department of Health announced Aug. 18 that an unvaccinated New Mexico horse contracted rabies. The horse was from Eddy County, which is located in the Southeastern part of the state. The horse was euthanized as a result.

The reports also indicate that several people were exposed to the affected horse’s saliva and will undergo testing to ensure they did not contract the virus.

Vaccinated horses have a significantly lower risk of contracting rabies than their unvaccinated counterparts. Horses that become infected with the rabies virus might show no clinical signs of disease for several days. However, during that time they can transmit the disease through saliva to other mammals, including humans.

When a horse contracts rabies the virus infects the central nervous system, causing brain disease and ultimately death. Clinical signs are extremely varied and can include colic, difficulty swallowing, depression, loss of appetite, a low-grade fever, lameness, incoordination, convulsions, increased sensitivity to being touched, abdominal pain, straining to urinate or defecate, odd behavioral changes, nervousness, irritability, muscle contractions, and death