Officials Warn Of Deadly Virus In Utah

A deadly disease surfaced in Utah in late May and since it's only the first case of the season, officials are warning of the danger. 

Though fewer than 10 people die per year from rabies, it is still something you should be aware of, especially if you own any pets. The Centers for Disease Control said that 75% of Americans are at risk from animals like raccoons, foxes, and skunks.  

Rabies is a virus that gets spread through a bite from an animal. Though the death toll in humans has significantly decreased because of vaccinations and tracking systems it is still a concern. There are roughly 4,000 animal rabies cases in the U.S. yearly with most of them happening in bats, skunks, foxes and raccoons.  

If these animals get near your fur baby it can be a death sentence, especially if they aren’t vaccinated.  

There are different rabies variants depending on the wildlife it has infected and can result in different aspects of rabies. Utah has all the animals associated with the disease's spread.  

This does not mean you should automatically be afraid of these animals but be aware of the rabies cases in your area and take proper precautions.  

Report any wildlife you see with rabies behavior to the proper places, avoid any areas where it has been seen and protect your pets by keeping them on a leash when you go out. Vaccinations can make all the difference.  

It's best to just leave the wildlife alone if you can and go on your way.