"The treatment for rabies is expensive and long," Ronald Warner of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbuck says in a statement. "Once a patient receiving treatment is given Rabies Immune Globulin Human, a series of five shots is administered. Once a person is diagnosed with rabies, the virus is almost always fatal."

If bitten or scratched by a wild animal, Warner suggests to:

-- Wash the wounds thoroughly with plenty of soap and water and consult a physician as soon as possible.

-- Secure the animal for observation, or testing if possible.

-- If an animal is killed, get it processed for shipment as soon as possible to reduce the chances of a "decomposed" test result.

-- To reduce the chance of a "destroyed" test result, do not damage the animal's brain.

However, if an animal cannot be captured, but it remains in the area and can be observed for a 10-day period, this is an acceptable alternative to treatment, Warner says.