Athens Review, Athens, Texas

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October 30, 2009

Skunk confirmed rabid in county

By Rich Flowers News Editor

The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed that a skunk involved in an encounter with a Henderson County resident Sunday, was rabid.

Henderson County Sheriff Ray Nutt said the skunk was sighted off Texas Highway 85 west of Seven Points.

According to HCSO reports, the resident heard his dog barking, and went to investigate. As he approached the animal it eluded capture, and darted into the residence.

The man was able to remove the animal in a metal trash can, but was bitten in the process. After removal, the skunk was taken to a local veterinarian, and shipped to the Texas Department of Health Rabies Lab in Austin.

On Wednesday, the lab informed the Henderson County Local Rabies Control Authority that the skunk was rabid.

The resident is currently undergoing a series of post-exposure rabies shots, HCSO reports said.

TDHS records note that dogs and cats are the animals most commonly tested for rabies in the state. Most of those animals test negative for rabies.

Although skunks account for fewer tests, a high percentage of those reveal the presence of the disease. Skunks, foxes, coyotes, bats and raccoons account for most reported rabies cases.

The TDHS reports receiving between 8,000 and 10,000 animal specimens from across the state each year for rabies testing

Before the June 25 incident, Henderson County had three rabid skunk reports in 2009, equal to the number in 2007. In 2008, there was only one confirmed rabies case.

Nutt reminds citizens to avoid contact with any animal that exhibits signs of rabies.

He offers tips for preventing exposure to the disease:

• Never approach a wild animal, especially if the animal is acting “friendly.” These animals are, when healthy, afraid of human contact, and will avoid face-to-face encounters.

• If you see a nocturnal animal such as a skunk, raccoon, opossum or coyote in the daytime, it may be sick. Stay away from it.

• Have your pets vaccinated, and keep the immunization up to date. Because your pet is more likely than you to come in contact with wildlife, you can catch rabies from your own exposed pet.

If you or your pet has a known exposure, contact your local police department, or if you live outside the city limit, contact the sheriff’s office.

If you can avoid it, Nutt said, don’t shoot the animal in the head. If the head is wounded, contact authorities anyway. The lab may still be able to perform the test.

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