Five confirmed cases in Panhandle this year

AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Although wild animals can be cute, if they're infected with rabies, they can be deadly.

In the Panhandle, there have been five confirmed cases of rabies already just this year.

Texas Health Department regional veterinarian, James Alexander, told ProNews 7 that Hutchinson, Hartley, Hansford, Parmer, and Gray counties have all had confirmed cases; the case in Grey was confirmed on Thursday.

Alexander said everyone needs to know the risks of dealing with wild animals.

"Most wildlife are afraid of humans," Alexander said, "and if you have one that's acting strange, wanting you to pet it and so on, you need to avoid that one."

Alexander said peopl may also be surprised to learn that livestock need to be vaccinated against rabies, as well as pets.

Alexander said to be prepared because the area is probably facing a year pretty high in infections.

"Rabies tends to run in cycles," Alexander said. "Skunks are the primary carrier here, and as the rabies cases increase, the numbers of skunks available to transmit it decrease because the population is reduced. It takes a while for that to rebuild. I's usually about a five-to-seven year cycle."