Confirmed rabid skunk in northeast Colorado

    Northeast Colorado has its first confirmed case of rabies in 2018. The rabid skunk, found in Morgan County near Snyder, exposed two domestic dogs to the disease. It is important to vaccinate animals against rabies because once symptoms start, rabies is nearly always fatal.
    If a pet has not been vaccinated for rabies and encounters a confirmed rabid animal, the recommendation is euthanasia for that pet. Vaccinating a pet is the first line of defense in protecting the entire family from coming into contact with this deadly disease. A licensed veterinarian must perform vaccinations in order to be considered valid.
    Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals, resulting in a fatal disease. The most common route of rabies transmission is from the bite or scratch of a rabid animal; however, transmission can also occur through contact with saliva or nervous system tissue of a rabid animal through the eyes, nose, mouth, or an open cut or wound.
    The Northeast Colorado Health Department would like to remind everyone to be vigilant as the spring and summer months tend to see an increase in pet and human exposure to rabid animals.

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.