Authorities reveal 16 cases of rabies transmitted by exotic pets in Yucatán

During 2023, 16 cases of rabies in pets were detected in Yucatán, an increase of 14.3% compared to the previous year. The National Center for Preventive Programs and Disease Control (Cenaprece) reported that none of the cases detected correspond to dogs or cats, but to species such as hamsters, mice, ferrets, etc.

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus present in the saliva of infected animals, such as dogs and cats, which is transmitted to people mainly through bites.

The most recent case of canine rabies in the entity was confirmed in 2020, while, in cats, in 2021 there were two infections.

At the national level, according to Cenaprece dependent on the federal Ministry of Health, from January to December 2023, 459 cases of animal rabies were confirmed, an increase of 51.48 percent compared to the 303 in 2022.

Of that total, only one case of canine rabies was recorded in Sonora, as well as 353 in species of economic interest and 105 in wild species, such as badgers, raccoons, and bats, among other mammals, indicated Cenaprece.

In the Yucatan Peninsula, 38 cases of hydrophobia were confirmed: 37 confirmed in animals of economic interest, and one wild. The phenomenon in Yucatán grew by 14.29 percent, with 16 infected pets, while, in 2022, there were 14. In both years it was detected in animals of economic interest.

TYT Newsroom