At least 25 exposed to rabies, investigation finds

Authorities have found nine of the 10 puppies in a litter affected by rabies in Carson City, and at least 25 people faced potential exposure to the disease.

One of the puppies tested positive for rabies, according to Carson City Health and Human Services. That agency, in cooperation with other agencies, is looking for the 10th puppy and awaits tests being conducted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The litter originated in the Minden/Gardnerville area, and the dog that tested positive is described as a boxer mix born in November.

Dogs in the litter were sold or given away, according to a news release, and because there is a “lack of verified information as to where the origin of the rabies exposure occurred, CCHHS took precautionary measures by alerting the families that owned the litter mates of their risk of rabies exposure.”

Initially, two people were thought to have been exposed to the disease. Taylor Radtke, CCHHS public-information officer, said that number had grown to 25.

It is the first rabies case in the state in decades, according to CCHHS, which has cautioned that rabies is a life-threatening ailment and that people exposed should get post-exposure treatment.

CCHHS staffers urged anyone with information about the 10th puppy to contact the agency at 775-887-2190. The agency says one puppy and an unvaccinated cat were exposed to the litter. Both were tested, and neither has the disease.

CCHHS authorities are working with the CDC, Nevada’s Department of Agriculture, Douglas County Animal Services and Nevada’s Division of Public and Behavioral Health Office of Epidemiology on the probe.