KENNETT, Mo. - Missouri health officials say the state has already recorded the same number of rabies cases it had in all of 2008.
The
Daily Dunklin Democrat reports 55 Missouri rabies cases by the end of September.
Health officials are urging owners to vaccinate pets and to seek treatment for animal bites.
Rabies is transmitted through bites from infected animals.
Missouri public health veterinarian Howard Pue says the number of rabid skunks is also on the rise this year.
Missouri sees cases most often in bats, skunks and occasionally farm animals and pets.
Health department officials say vaccinating pets that have contact with wild animals can provide a barrier between people and rabies.
