Rhode Island continues rabies advisory, second calf rabies negative
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) continue their advice for the public concerning exposure to a suspected rabid calf even after the suspicious second calf tested negative for rabies.
Initially, on July 15, a Massachusetts resident was bitten by a black and white calf named “Oreo” that was in a small pasture adjacent to the ice cream shop at 16 East Road in Tiverton.
After the bite, Oreo was ordered quarantined and later found dead during the 10-day quarantine period. DEM attempted to obtain tissues from the animal for rabies testing, but the animal’s condition was too decomposed to test. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, public health officials are considering that this animal may have died from rabies.
A second calf, a brown one, housed in a pasture adjacent to Gray’s Ice Cream, also died; however, rabies was ruled out as the cause of death.
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Rhode Island officials say, although test results show that this particular calf did not have rabies, HEALTH officials have not changed the guidance issued for individuals who had physical contact between July 5 and July 21 with a black-and-white calf housed in a pasture adjacent to Gray’s. The tissues of that animal were too decomposed to test for rabies infection. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, officials advise anyone who had physical contact with the black-and-white calf between July 5 and July 21 to contact HEALTH at 222-2577 for evaluation of their potential rabies exposure.
Members of the public should note that the black-and-white calf was removed from direct public contact on July 16, and that only the animal’s handlers may have been exposed during the period from July 16 through July 21.
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First Calf did not test positive for rabies remains to decomposed for testing – may want to make correction in Tiverton rabies story .
Corrected. Thanks Mr. Bowley.