On January 23, a 5-year-old Paint gelding in Habersham County, Georgia, was confirmed positive for rabies.

The horse, who was unvaccinated, developed clinical signs on January 19, including acute and severe laminitis, decreased appetite, and mild icterus. The clinical signs progressed rapidly to dysphagia, muscle tremors, and toxic mucous membrane color with petechial hemorrhage on the gums. He became recumbent and did not respond to treatment or intensive supportive care, and he was then euthanized. 

The horse, along with six others, was observed grazing near a skunk three weeks prior to developing clinical signs.

EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.