San Benito County authorities warned that a dead skunk found recently in Aromas was infected with the rabies virus and anyone who thinks they have been in contact with a rabid animal should take precautions.
The skunk carcass was found at a private residence on March 26. Laboratory results confirmed the animal had been infected with the rabies virus, says a press release from San Benito County.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that is transmitted through the bite or saliva of an infected animal, county officials said. Prompt vaccination after exposure is the only way to prevent the disease, as rabies is fatal without treatment.
The county’s press release advised, “If you encounter a wild animal, do not attempt to touch it. If you are bitten by a wild animal, seek immediate medical attention. Protect your pets by ensuring their rabies vaccinations are up to date. Contact your veterinarian to confirm that your pets are properly vaccinated.”
Rabies is most commonly found in animals such as bats, skunks, foxes, raccoons and bobcats, the county said. Behavioral signs of wild or domestic rabid animals may include staggering, restlessness, aggression, unusual barking or growling, or difficulty breathing.
Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal or one suspected of having rabies should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water, and seek medical care from a healthcare professional.
Anyone who comes across a domestic animal that is sick, injured, deceased, orphaned, or displaying unusual behavior, should not approach it. Instead, they should contact Hollister Animal Control at 831.636.4320, says the county’s press release.
Anyone who encounters a wild animal in these conditions should contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Central Region Field Office at 559.243.4005. For urgent threats, dial 911.
For additional information, visit cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabies.aspx.
Stay healthy
The California Department of Public Health lists the following signs of potential rabies exposure in wild or domesticated animals:
• A wild animal that seems unusually tame or isn’t afraid to approach people
• An animal out during the day that is usually active only at night, such as a skunk, fox, or bat
• A pet that has trouble walking, eating, or drinking, or has a change in personality or how it acts
• A normally calm animal that acts in an agitated or aggressive manner
• A bat that can’t fly or has been caught by a dog or cat
• In humans, symptoms of rabies appear once the virus has reached the brain. The first symptoms usually begin 4–8 weeks after exposure to the virus and include a tingling or itching feeling at the bite site. Symptoms get worse over the following days and often include trouble walking, speaking or swallowing, and confusion, distress and loss of consciousness. Nearly all people infected with rabies will go into a coma and die one to two weeks after the start of symptoms.
