Rabies claims Colorado horse

September 2009: Rabies has claimed a Colorado horse, according to the El Paso County Health Department. Public information officer Susan Wheelan confirmed reports of the recent case, but had no further details. Rabies is always fatal to animals. Once an animal contracts the disease, there is no cure.
A horse with rabies could theoretically infect a human through a bite. However in humans, prompt post-exposure vaccination may stop the virus.
Whether to use the relatively new vaccine for horses has been controversial because horse owners fear possible vaccine reactions, and there have been no cases of rabies in Colorado horses for many years. Wheelan said she expected a detailed statement from the El Paso County Health Department later today.