Cases of rabies in horses and mules declined 21%, from 82 cases in 1998 to 65 in 1999. Michigan reported the largest percentage increase in rabid skunks (950.0% 2 cases in 1998 to 21 in 1999). Cases of rabies in skunks decreased by 8.6%, compared with those reported in 1998. In Texas, cases associated with the enzootic canine variants of the rabies virus remained low (10 cases), whereas cases associated with the gray fox variant of the virus increased (66). Massachusetts and Rhode Island, states with enzootic rabies in raccoons, each reported more rabid skunks than rabid raccoons for the third consecutive year. Fifteen of the 19 states where the raccoon variant of the rabies virus is enzootic reported fewer cases of rabies during 1999.

Reported cases (6) associated with the epizootic of rabies in raccoons in Ohio declined from the 26 cases reported in 1998. Decreases were evident in all major species groups, with the exception of cattle, sheep/goats, and swine. No cases of rabies were reported in human beings in 1999. More than 91% (6,466 cases) were in wild animals, whereas 8.5% (601 cases) were in domestic species (compared with 92.4% in wild animals and 7.6% in domestic species in 1998). During 1999, 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported 7,067 cases of rabies in nonhuman animals to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a decrease of 11.2% from 7,961 cases in nonhuman animals and 1 case in a human being reported in 1998.

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