While 10 people exposed to a rabies strain rarely seen in Nebraska are said to be “doing fine,” officials in the Metro are upping their concerns about the possible spread of the disease.

[View officials' comments above]

Earlier this month a stray cat in Omaha was confirmed with rabies from a raccoon.

According to the head of the Douglas County Health Department, Dr. Lindsay Huse, local, state, and federal experts will be working hand-in-hand testing, trapping, and vaccinating wildlife.

Dr. Lindsay Huse, Douglas County Health Department: “Rabies transmission requires direct physical contact with the saliva of an infected animal. The disease can be prevented if action is taken quickly. A series of injections or vaccinations is what is usually used for that. Unfortunately, rabies is almost always fatal if it's not treated right away.”

Phil Rooney, Health Department Spokesman: It's something like 40 or 50 raccoons per square kilometer, so you can imagine the problem if the raccoons start interacting with kids, interact with cats, interact with anything else that might be out there. Get in a fight with a fox, getting in a fight with a coyote, a skunk. We could really have a problem on our hands.”

Right now the target area includes much of Omaha’s inner city: 72nd street on the west to the Missouri River on the east, and “F” street on the south, north to Fort Street.

Officials are asking that anyone who comes in contact with any roadkill, stray, or wild animals, especially any acting in an “unusual manner” contact the Humane Society at 402-444-7800, extension 1.