U.S. shortage of rabies vaccine

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LUBBOCK, Texas, June 10 (UPI) -- A Texas health agency is putting pre-exposure vaccinations on hold because of a nationwide shortage of human rabies vaccine.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has put the vaccinations for game wardens, animal control, and other veterinary and laboratory personnel "on-hold" until the shortage is resolved.

Ronald Warner of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock notes the best thing to do is to avoid rabies by keeping pet vaccinated and using caution outdoors.

"Symptoms of rabies can vary," Warner said in a statement." Watch for signs that may include abnormal behavior or confusion. For example, nocturnal animals such as coyotes or raccoons should not be seen during daylight hours."

Warner says excessive salivation -- foaming at the mouth -- and aggression is not shown in all animals.

" In some cases, animals will become lethargic," Warner said.