Skunk Found In Boulder Tests Positive For Rabies

BOULDER, CO — A skunk found Sunday in Boulder tested positive for rabies, public health officials confirmed.

A person was with their dog when they spotted the skunk acting erratically near the 1400 block of Brown Circle, Boulder County Public Health said.

The city’s animal protection division and an animal control officer then took the skunk to Boulder County Public Health for rabies testing, health officials said.

“Fortunately, this pet owner understood there might be a risk of rabies and did the right thing by contacting animal control to have the skunk tested,” said Carol McInnes, Boulder County Public Health Environmental Health Specialist.

“The dog was current on its rabies vaccinations and will only need to get a rabies booster vaccination.”

The infectious viral disease affects the nervous system, and it is always fatal unless it is treated before any symptoms appear, health officials said.

Exposure to rabies is generally the result of a bite or scratch by an infected animal, and it is sometimes practically undetectable, such as a tiny puncture of the skin by a bat, health officials said. Treatment for rabies exposure involves a series of vaccinations.

Public health officials recommend that the following precautions be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to rabies:

• Do not handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. Contact animal control to collect the animal.
• Thoroughly wash any wound caused by an animal with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
• Keep vaccinations current for all dogs, cats, and ferrets.
• Keep cats and ferrets inside and dogs under direct supervision.
• Teach children to leave wildlife alone.
• Do not leave pet food or livestock feed in areas that are accessible to wildlife.

Over the past few years, skunks have been a significant source of rabies throughout eastern Colorado and the now the Front Range, health officials said. Other wild animals that may carry rabies include raccoons and foxes.

If a person or pet has been bitten by or has had contact with a bat or wild animal, seek medical care immediately, and then contact your local animal control agency or Boulder County Public Health at 303-441-1564 to arrange for rabies testing.

>> More information about rabies in Boulder County can be found here.