|
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246 303-692-2021
NEWS
Contact: Mark W. Salley
Communications Director
303-692-2013
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Skunk Rabies Widespread in Eastern Colorado;
Rabid Cat and Raccoon Reported
DENVER-- Following confirmed reports of rabid skunks and a coyote last year, surveillance efforts by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have shown skunk rabies is widely circulating in eastern counties of the state. As anticipated, spillover infections from rabid skunks to other animals has occurred, with the confirmation of rabies in a cat and a raccoon last week. Both animals were found in Cheyenne County. This was the first rabid raccoon reported in Colorado since 1963 and the first rabid cat since 1985. State officials assume both animals were infected after contact with a rabid skunk.
Since the first of the year, 38 skunks have been submitted for laboratory testing; 11 (29 percent) tested positive for rabies. At least seven of the rabid skunks have been involved in attacks on domestic dogs or cats. The raccoon was killed after it attacked a dog. “These incidents emphasize why it is important that pet owners make sure their dogs’ and cats’ rabies vaccinations are up to date,” said John Pape, an epidemiologist with the department who specializes in animal-related diseases.
Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals, resulting in a fatal disease. The virus is shed in the saliva of infected animals. People and animals get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal or contact with saliva from such an animal.
“While no rabid skunks yet have been reported in Front Range cities, we are continuing to monitor the situation,” said Pape. “We have a cooperative surveillance project with local health departments and animal control agencies, the Division of Wildlife and Colorado State University to track the distribution of the disease in the eastern plains.”
In 2008, skunk rabies has been reported in the following eastern counties: Arapahoe (2), Baca (2), Cheyenne (1), Kiowa (3), Kit Carson (1) and Yuma (2). In 2007, rabid skunks were reported from Prowers, Washington and Las Animas counties in eastern Colorado. A rabid skunk also was reported in Mesa County in 2007.
“We have been closely monitoring the skunk population after a positive coyote was confirmed in Prowers County last June,” said Pape. “The coyote was infected with the skunk strain of rabies virus.”
In the past, isolated rabies cases in terrestrial animals have turned out to be a bat strain of the rabies virus, probably meaning the infected animal found and ate a bat, according to Pape. This was presumed to be the source of the infection in a rabid skunk found last year in Mesa County in western Colorado. “In eastern Colorado we are seeing the skunk strain of rabies circulating farther west than at any time in the last 30 years,” Pape said. “The problem is skunks are highly efficient at transmitting rabies to other animals.”
Having pets vaccinated is the simplest and most effective way to protect pets and family members from this deadly disease. Pet owners are encouraged to contact their veterinarian and get their pets up to date on vaccinations. “Even if no rabid skunks have been reported in your county, you should get the pets vaccinated and take a few simple precautions, “ said Pape. “We see bat rabies in every county of the state. Thirteen cases of rabies in bats have been confirmed by the lab this year.”
Additional precautions should be taken to prevent possible exposure to rabies:
- Do not feed wild animals – this just brings them closer to your family.
- Teach children to stay away from wild or dead animals.
- Do not allow pets to roam freely, as this increases the chance they may be exposed without your knowledge.
- Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination current, and maintain vaccination records.
- Contact your veterinarian if your dog or cat is bitten or scratched by a wild animal.
If a family member or pet has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, if possible safely contain the wild animal in case rabies testing is needed. People with possible rabies exposure should consult with a physician without delay.
Pape said signs of rabies in animals include abnormal behavior such as nocturnal animals being active in the day, animals approaching humans or other animals, difficulty with walking or movement and unusual animal sounds such as excessive bellowing in cows or hissing/chirping in bats. Some animals with rabies will be very aggressive (furious rabies) while others may appear almost catatonic (dumb rabies).
Skunks and other wildlife should not be handled. If a wild animal allows a person to approach and handle it, the animal is probably ill or injured and will bite in self-defense. A healthy animal usually will remain well hidden and avoid human contact. Suspected rabid animals should be reported immediately to local public health or animal control authorities.
