(Edited press release)

New Mexico health and livestock authorities have reminded owners to vaccinate their horses and other animals for rabies after a horse from Lea County in the southeastern part of the state tested positive for rabies. Three people who were potentially exposed to the infected horses are undergoing a vaccination series to prevent them from developing the disease.

Dave Fly, DVM, deputy state veterinarian with the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB), said, “This should serve as a wake-up call to people who keep horses and other livestock that there are wild animals in the area infected with rabies, most likely skunks. Owners of valuable livestock should consult with their veterinarians about protecting these animals by giving them rabies vaccinations.”

The affected horse began behaving abnormally last week, then became very aggressive before it died. A local veterinarian submitted tissue samples from the horse, which tested positive for rabies at the Department of Health’s Scientific Laboratory Division. The New Mexico Department of Health and the NMLB jointly announced the case on March 15