Michigan livestock and pet owners are being urged to vaccinate their animals against rabies after a horse in Lapeer County tested positive for the disease.

"It is essential pet and livestock owners take steps to vaccinate against rabies and other diseases because of the possibility human exposure to the disease from interaction with infected horses, cattle, dogs, and cats," said Michigan Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Steven Halstead, DVM. "By working with their veterinarian, owners can take significant steps toward providing a safe and healthy environment for their families and animals."

A quarantine was issued on the Lapeer County horse farm and will be monitored by county animal control officers. Feral cats and any pet cat on the premises showing clinical signs consistent with rabies or with a history of biting someone within the previous 10 days will be tested. Six people, including the owner, trainer, and veterinarian, that might have been exposed to the rabid horse are receiving a series of preventative rabies shots. No other humans or animals are known to have been exposed at this time.

This is the third case of rabies in Michigan thus far in 2010–previous cases include a rabid skunk in St. Clair County and a bat in Kent County