(No. 97/2026)
On Wednesday, May 27, a case of rabies was detected in a crossbreed dog owned by an Italian woman living in the municipality of Vittorio Veneto, in the San Giacomo di Veglia area.
The case was reported by a veterinary clinic, where the animal had been brought due to the onset of nervous symptoms consistent with the disease.
During the medical history reconstruction conducted with the owner and her family, it emerged that the dog had been brought to Italy illegally several months earlier following a tourist trip to Morocco by a relative of the woman.
Given the animal's extremely serious clinical condition and the potential health risk, the dog was euthanized and immediately transferred to the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) – National Reference Center for Rabies, which confirmed the diagnosis and the origin of the virus in Morocco.
Rabies is a viral disease spread through direct contact between animals and occasionally from infected animals to humans.
The consequences can be very serious, which is why it's important to promptly identify any potential contact with the dog in the previous two weeks.
Owners of dogs who may have come into contact with the rabid animal (photo of which is attached to this press release) are encouraged to contact the veterinary services of the Local Health Authority (ULSS).
The Public Health and Hygiene Service (SISP) and the Animal Health Service of Local Health Authority 2 have already conducted epidemiological investigations and traced the exposed people and dogs.
The people have been given post-exposure prophylaxis, an effective measure to prevent any risk of disease development, while the dogs will be kept under observation at suitable veterinary facilities within Local Health Authority 2.
Health authorities are monitoring the situation and adopting all necessary measures to protect human and animal health.
As a precaution, all dogs and cats in the Municipality of Vittorio Veneto must be vaccinated at a veterinary clinic.
"The case has been monitored with the utmost care from the beginning, and within a couple of days, all possible contacts, both human and animal, were mapped," emphasized Director General Giancarlo Bizzarri.
"I therefore believe I can safely say that there is no cause for concern for the Vittorio Veneto population. Anyone with questions or requests for information can reach us via the telephone numbers provided by the ULSS."
In light of the rabies case recorded in Vittorio Veneto and given that rabies is endemic in numerous non-European countries, ULSS 2 urges everyone to avoid interacting with animals when traveling to "at-risk" countries.
This afternoon, the Municipality of Vittorio Veneto will publish an ordinance containing practical information for dog and cat owners.
Contact point for veterinary questions : 336231711 | Contact point for medical questions : 3333360572
Source:
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