The first case of rabies in almost 25 years has been recorded in Macedonia, sending local hunters out into the streets killing stray dogs, media reports said Friday.
A cat which scratched its owner and two veterinarians in a village near Skopje was confirmed to have the disease, Nezavisne Novine daily said.
It is thought to have been infected by rabid animals from Kosovo.
Local hunters immediately started killing stray dogs whose numbers are estimated at up to 15,000 in the Skopje area.
Animal protection societies insisted there was no reason for panic and said animals should be killed only in the area where the case was recorded.
Media reports said Macedonia hospitals did not have enough anti-rabies vaccines -- SKOPJE (AFP)
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