Rabid Baby Raccoon Exposes 21 Humans To Rabies In Colo. County

WELD COUNTY, CO – Twenty-one people are undergoing rabies treatment in Weld County after having contact with a rabies-infected baby raccoon, the Weld County Health Department said.

The raccoon appeared to have been abandoned by its mother when it was found on the property of a south Weld County woman, who took it into her home. Before it had been tested for rabies, 21 people made contact with the animal. This is the "largest rabies exposure case in Weld County," officials said.

“This looks like a year for high rabies exposure in animals,” said Mark Wallace, executive director of the Weld County Health Department. “It is very important that people not touch or go near wild animals.

“We’re not just seeing typical skunk or bat rabies this year,” Wallace continued. “We’re concerned about the growing number of cases among other animals such as raccoons and cats.”

Pets and other animals can become infected if they are exposed to a rabid animal, the health department said. This ‘spillover’ of rabies increases the risk that humans will be exposed.

It is illegal in Colorado to raise wild animals without the proper permits from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. You can be ticketed and the animal can be taken away.

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that affects the nervous system. Rabies causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord. Without medical treatment, rabies can be fatal to humans.

Rabies can spread in saliva through the bite of an infected animal. The virus can also be spread in saliva to an open cut, scratch or wound.

If a person thinks they have been exposed to rabies, they should contact their medical provider immediately. Vaccination treatment is available to prevent rabies if started before symptoms appear.

Weld County Health Dept. offers these tips to prevent exposure to rabies:

• Leave orphaned animals alone. Baby animals often appear to be orphaned when they are not. The parent animal may not return if people are too close.
• Do not feed, touch or handle wild animals and be cautious of stray dogs and cats
• Have dogs, cats, horses, and livestock vaccinated regularly by a licensed veterinarian

If you do find a wild animal that appears to be sick, injured or orphaned, contact your local Animal Control Officer, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, or a local veterinary office before attempting to move it, the health department said.

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