NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
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A skunk found in Lafayette, near Lake Waneka, has tested positive for rabies.
Boulder County Public Health asks that you call 303-441-1564 immediately if there is any possibility that you, a family member or your pet has come in contact with a skunk.
On Nov. 5, Lafayette residents let their dogs out into their yard, where the family later found a sick skunk. The residents promptly called animal control, who retrieved the skunk and submitted it for rabies testing. Although one of the dogs was sprayed by the skunk, both pets were up to date on their rabies vaccinations. There was no known contact with humans.
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects human and animal nervous systems and is almost always fatal unless it is treated before any symptoms appear.
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. Treatment for rabies exposure involves a series of vaccinations.
“Rabies is a deadly disease if it is not treated promptly,” said Carol McInnes, Boulder County Public Health Environmental Health Specialist. “To protect yourself against rabies, keep any pets’ vaccinations up to date and follow public health guidance on preventing exposure to the disease.”
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.
- Contact your local public health department if people or pets have been bitten or exposed to a skunk.
- Contact your local animal control officer to assist with capturing wild animals such as skunks or bats and delivering them for testing.
Residents who find that a skunk has come into contact with a human or domestic animal should call their local animal control office to collect the animal. For questions about human contact with a skunk, call the Colorado Health Information Line at 1-877-462-2911.
For general information about rabies, visit www.BoulderCountyVector.org.
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