

Little information is available about the cases, but both were identified as having the skunk rabies virus variant. That doesn’t necessarily mean they were infected by skunks (since other species can be infected by this virus variant) but it is suggestive, and indicates that rabies must be active in the skunk population in that region.

Regardless of the source, these cases are a reminder of why rabies vaccination of horses is important, and why rabies vaccination is considered a "core" equine vaccine by the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Rabies is invariably fatal in horses and it’s also a major public health risk. While I’ve been unable to find confirmed cases of horse-to-human rabies transmission, it’s a possibility, and additionally, rabid horses have killed people because of their unpredictable and aggressive behaviour.

Vaccination is cheap insurance against rabies – it’s never a 100% guarantee, but it’s a whole lot better than without vaccination.

(click image for source)