The National Animal Health Service (SENASA), of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), detected the first case of bovine paralytic rabies this year.
The incident happened on a farm located in the canton of Coto Brus, in the district of San Vito, specifically in the village Los Reyes, where three animals have died because of this disease.
In order to protect the health of villagers and animals, SENASA established sanitary and quarantine measures on the affected farm, where there is a population of 50 animals. There will also be measures to capture vampire bats in these areas to lower the existing population of this flying mammal, because it is the most important vector for the transmission of the disease,”
said Federico Chaverri, director of the Directorate of Operations of the SENASA.
As part of the preventive measures, an epidemiological investigation is carried out on the farm where the outbreak occurred and on the neighboring farms to search for new affected animals.
Exposed animals (cattle and canines) are being protected by vaccination and communication is maintained with the owner and the neighboring farms.
The Ministry of Health of the Canton of Coto Brus will coordinate efforts with the Hospital to proceed with the vaccination of the people who were in contact with these animals.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans. It causes lack of coordination, difficulty walking, salivation, paralysis of the legs, neck twisting and, finally, death.
In the face of these outbreaks, specialists recommend avoiding contact with ill animals that show the symptoms, burying animal carcasses, vaccinating animals and immediately reporting any suspected cases to the nearest SENASA office.