city hall pellets The cooperation of Quadrangle residents between the streets of Dom Pedro II, Joao Pessoa, Benjamin Constant and Santa Cruz, in the Porto region, is required to allow the entry of endemic control agents and vaccinate their animals against rabies. And the implementation of this procedure begins on Thursday afternoon (15), when a cat living in that area was diagnosed, by laboratory examination, with the virus that causes the disease.
To prevent contamination of other dogs and cats, the Municipal Health Administration (SMS), through Environmental Monitoring Health (Vigiams), has initiated a rabies vaccine block protocol in a radius of about 300 meters around the cat’s home.
The SMS has not yet confirmed whether the cat has been infected by some type of bat or another type of pet. As the investigation takes time to complete, teams will adopt stricter measures, with all animals in the ocean vaccinated.
“We are working with the possibility that it could be a case of bat rabies, because that is more likely. This finding shows that viral circulation of variants of these animals occurs, which is expected, but, nevertheless, requires monitoring and control measures. Fortunately, this does not mean a return Urban Rage. However, it is very important for people to take care of their pets,” says Vigiams veterinarian, Roberta Motta. The professional also highlights that vaccinating all dogs and cats residing in the area to be visited, as of Thursday, is a care and prevention measure and asks for the understanding of the residents.
injured animal
The infected animal is a female cat that showed signs of aggression and attacked its owner. As a result, the cat was referred to veterinary care and was also monitored by the municipality’s environmental monitoring team. With the animal’s health deteriorating, the family decided to euthanize – this is not the norm, the animals are generally isolated for ten days to observe symptoms, and if it is indeed rabies, they end up dying. a period. Since rabies is an incurable disease, both for animals and humans, any suspicions should be reported to the health authorities.
According to SMS, the cat lived with three other animals and did not receive a rabies vaccine. The teams visited the house and found a bat in the yard. As a result, all animals received doses of the immunizing agent and will be monitored for the next six months. The teacher was also vaccinated after the attack to prevent the disease from progressing.
This has been proven by the Institute for Veterinary Research Desidrio Finamor, a reference in Rio Grande do Sul. The material to be analyzed was collected by the Department of Pathology of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Federal University of Pelotas, which provides support to the municipality, and carried out an autopsy of cats.
How to report a suspicious case
Veterinarian Roberta warns that it is important for those responsible for dogs and cats to keep up with their vaccinations, with all the necessary doses to prevent the various diseases that can affect them. We advise owners to vaccinate their animals annually. Since urban rabies was brought under control in Rio Grande do Sul, the municipality is no longer carrying out mass application of the rabies vaccine. Therefore, this protection of teacher responsibility is a very important public health practice,” he highlights.
The SMS asks residents to be vigilant to keep the animals immune and prevent them from coming into contact with bats, and in the event of any change in behavior or neurological symptoms, seek veterinary care and/or guidance from Vigiam. It is also important for anyone who has been bitten or scratched by dogs and cats in these situations to seek health care for an evaluation. More information can be obtained from the Center for Zoonoses Control by calling (53) 3284.7731 or WhatsApp (53) 99114.0546.
Roberta also mentions that September 28 is World Rabies Prevention Day, and the city council organizes a series of activities to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining care to protect animals and humans.
