Devils Lake girl receives treatment.

A Devils Lake family got a stark reminder of how serious rabies can be.

Two-year-old Jasmine Charboneau was bitten by a black Labrador retriever - normally a good-natured and patient breed - that was infected with rabies. Charboneau is undergoing a series of shots as treatment for the disease, and the dog has been put down.

Even without that wake-up call, increases already have been reported in the number of rabies cases in animals in Minnesota this year.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has identified 28 cases of rabies since July 1.

That brings the state's total for the year so far to 56, said Malissa Fritz with the board.

That compares with 49 cases of rabies for the entire year in 2003.

In response to that increase, the board is asking veterinarians to report animals that may have been exposed to rabies and is asking people to make sure their pets are vaccinated.

In North Dakota, there have been 49 cases so far. In 2003, there were a total of 57 animals infected by rabies.

Kirby Kruger, an epidemiologist at the North Dakota Department of Health, said rabies seems to cycle every five to seven years. North Dakota has not issued any warnings about rabies this year.

Skunks and dogs

In both states, skunks are the most common carriers of rabies. Twenty rabid skunks have been recorded in Minnesota this summer, including skunks in Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Clearwater and Mahnomen counties.

Only one case of rabies in a dog had been reported in Minnesota as of July 30, in Fillmore County.

According to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, rabies infects the central nervous system and ultimately causes death.

In humans, early symptoms include fever and headache. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms appear. Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

There are two forms of rabies, according to the board: dumb rabies (an animal that acts sick, does not eat and is lethargic), and furious rabies (an animal that shows aggressive and vicious behavior).

Most cases of rabies reported each year occur in wild animals. Domestic animals account for less than 10 percent of the reported rabies cases, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.



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