Rabies Showing Up
In Local Skunks

I received a call last week from the Department of Health reporting two confirmed cases of rabies in skunks in the Bethel Gilead area. My contact also said that there have been some cases of rabies in Randolph recently as well, but did not give me any specifics on those incidents.

Rabies is a viral disease found mostly in wildlife, especially raccoons, foxes, bats, skunks and woodchucks. It is a disease that can also infect human and domestic animals. Lack of fear or unusual aggression may be a sign in infected animals, however no one can tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it. Rabies is transmitted through saliva in bites although rarely through a non-bite exposure if saliva comes in contact with an open wound, the eyes, mouth, or nose.

The best precautions to avoid rabies are to have your domestic pets and livestock vaccinated per your vet’s protocol. Also, avoid coming into close proximity of wildlife. To report any orphaned or suspicious looking wildlife, the game warden in your area can be contacted by calling the state police.

In case of an animal bite from either a wild animal or domestic animal, go to your local hospital’s emergency department. Rabies is fatal without immediate medical attention. The medical provider will contact the health officer who will fill out a bite report for the Department of Health. Also, it is important to find the animal and have it confined for 10 days of observation for signs of illness.

Amy Danley-White

Bethel Town Health Officer

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