Skunk Found In Longmont Tests Positive For Rabies

LONGMONT, CO — A skunk found Monday in Longmont tested positive for rabies, public health officials confirmed.

A resident near Gifford Drive reported the skunk after it acted aggressively in her backyard, Boulder County Public Health said.

The agency was notified after she called the City of Longmont Animal Control, and the skunk was tested.

There was no known contact with humans or animals, but the skunk did have contact with a pet, health officials said.

“It is vital to make sure your dogs, cats, horses and valuable livestock have a current rabies vaccination, said Carol McInnes, Boulder County Public Health Environmental Health Specialist.

"Timely vaccination is the most important and effective way to protect everyone from contracting rabies. Pets with no rabies vaccination that come into contact with a rabid animal may need to be euthanized or placed in a four-month quarantine at the owner’s expense.”

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.