The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is warning the public to be cautious as there has been an increase in animal rabies cases in the state since the beginning of the year.

 KDHE reports 13 animals have been infected so far, including four skunks, two each of bats, cows and horses, and one coyote and one raccoon.

 Since 2007 there’s been an average of 68 reported cases of rabies in the state.

 Locally, there haven’t been any reports from the Atchison Animal Clinic.

 Doctor Peggy Kisler says it’s easy to keep the number down, and that’s through vaccinating your pets.

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 Vaccines are available for dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cattle and sheep.

 KDHE advises to not feed or nurse wild animals back to health, seek medical attention if bitten by any animal and to teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals.