Skunk From Metro Detroit Breeder Tests Positive For Rabies: Officials

METRO DETROIT — Officials warned people Wednesday who bought a sunk in the Metro Detroit area within the last six months that they could be exposed to rabies.

A skunk that was purchased from Countryside Feather Farm/Rose’s Skunks in Attica or through a Chesterfield Township/New Baltimore seller connected to Rose’s Skunks tested positive for rabies on Nov. 29, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Health officials first warned multiple Macomb County communities to watch out for infected skunks after three of them tested positive for rabies and attacked family pets in August.

Officials do not know how the sunk got infected with rabies, but a Macomb County Animal Control investigation showed it's possible rehabilitated wild skunks were co-mingled with bred and captive skunks at the New Baltimore location.

State officials reiterated that Michigan residents can purchase skunks bred in captivity through a permit issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

"In the State of Michigan, it is illegal to take, purchase or possess wild animals without proper permitting from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources," DNR Law Enforcement Chief Jason Haines said. "Where skunks are concerned, it’s illegal to take them from the wild for purposes of rehabilitation or to import them from another state or country. We are continuing to investigate this matter, working cooperatively with local authorities and other state agencies."

Officials are using records from the facilities and DNR permits to reach people who purchased the skunks. Officials also urged those potentially exposed to take proper precautions and seek out medical treatments, because rabies can go undetected in skunks for several months.

"It can take months for rabies to show up in skunks. If the skunk you purchased is showing signs of illness or has died, please contact your veterinarian and health care provider immediately as you may be at risk for rabies and require treatment.," Chief Medical Executive Natasha Bagdasarian said.

Bats and skunks are the most common carriers of rabies in Michigan. The disease is most often transmitted through a bite, scratch or saliva of an infected mammal and can be fatal to humans and animals.

The first symptoms of rabies in animals may include fever, lethargy, vomiting and lack of appetite. Within days, symptoms that are more specific to brain dysfunction appear and may include weakness, difficulty walking, paralysis, seizures, difficulty swallowing/excessive salivation, abnormal behavior and aggression.

Here are some steps Michiganders can use to protect their family and pets from rabies:

• Avoid contact with wildlife. Do not keep wild animals as pets and do not try to rehabilitate wildlife yourself. Wild animals can carry rabies without looking sick.
• If a wild animal appears sick, please report it to the Department of Natural Resources online at Michigan.gov/eyesinthefield or at 517-336-5030.
• If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, seek immediate medical attention and alert the local health department. A directory of local public health departments is available at Malph.org.
• Protect your pets by getting them vaccinated against rabies. Even cats that live indoors and never go outside need to be vaccinated, as they can encounter a bat that gets inside the home.
• If your animal is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, or if you believe they have had unsupervised contact with wildlife, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if your pet is currently vaccinated against rabies, additional actions may need to be taken to prevent them from becoming infected. If possible, safely confine or capture the wild animal without touching it and contact your local animal control officer or veterinarian, as the animal may need to be tested for rabies.