Rabid Horse in Lapeer County
March 10, 2010
The Michigan Department of Community Health's Bureau of Laboratories (MDCH BOL) recently
identified rabies in an 8-year-old Standard-bred gelding from Lapeer County. The horse
developed clinical signs around February 28, 2010 and was euthanized two days later due to a
progressive illness and onset of extreme aggression. As a result of potential exposure to saliva
and/or neural tissue from the infected horse, four individuals, including the veterinarian, are
undergoing rabies post-exposure treatment.
The veterinarian, who was previously vaccinated, will only need to receive two doses of rabies
vaccine and no rabies immune globulin. There were seven other horses on the premise, as well
as numerous feral cats. None of the animals were vaccinated against rabies. The farm has been
placed under quarantine by the local animal control agency and the horses will be confined to the
premise, vaccinated and observed for signs of rabies over the next six months. The feral cats on
the premise will be trapped and euthanized. The farm is located in a small rural community near
homes and a school.
The community is being advised to stay away from wild or strange-acting animals and to make
sure their pets have a current rabies vaccination. Strain-typing of the virus is being conducted at
the BOL Historically, both bat and skunk-strain rabies have been detected in Lapeer County.