Missouriwatcher
Editor, Senior Moderator
Jan 6, 2012 -The second skunk from Yell County within the last 30 days has been confirmed rabid by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The skunk charged a resident of Briggsville who was riding an ATV and began following him. The first skunk was discovered in early December in a dog pen attacking dogs. In both cases, several dogs were potentially exposed, and none was current on its rabies vaccinations. It is unclear whether or not other dogs, cats, horses or cattle may have also been exposed prior to the skunks being shot...
In 2011, Arkansas had 60 rabies positive animals, including 53 skunks, six bats, and one cat. Twenty-seven of the skunks were submitted from Sebastian County alone. The cases in Yell County are the first positive rabies in 2012.
Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord and is a fatal disease. It is most often seen in animals such as skunks, bats and foxes. Cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock can also develop rabies, especially if they are not vaccinated. The rabies virus lives in the saliva (spit) and nervous tissues of infected animals and is spread when they bite or scratch. The virus also may be spread if saliva from an infected animal touches broken skin, open wounds or the lining of the mouth, eyes or nose.
The first sign of rabies in an animal is usually a change in behavior. Rabid animals may attack people or other animals for no reason, or they may lose their fear of people and seem unnaturally friendly. Staggering, convulsions, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis are often present. Skunks may be seen out in daylight, which is an unusual behavior for them, or they may get into a dog pen or under a house. Many animals have a marked change in voice pitch, such as a muted or off-key tone. An animal usually dies within one week of demonstrating signs of rabies. Not all rabid animals act in these ways, however, so you should avoid all wild animals - especially skunks, bats and stray cats and dogs...
http://www.arkansas.gov/health/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=564
In 2011, Arkansas had 60 rabies positive animals, including 53 skunks, six bats, and one cat. Twenty-seven of the skunks were submitted from Sebastian County alone. The cases in Yell County are the first positive rabies in 2012.
Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord and is a fatal disease. It is most often seen in animals such as skunks, bats and foxes. Cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock can also develop rabies, especially if they are not vaccinated. The rabies virus lives in the saliva (spit) and nervous tissues of infected animals and is spread when they bite or scratch. The virus also may be spread if saliva from an infected animal touches broken skin, open wounds or the lining of the mouth, eyes or nose.
The first sign of rabies in an animal is usually a change in behavior. Rabid animals may attack people or other animals for no reason, or they may lose their fear of people and seem unnaturally friendly. Staggering, convulsions, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis are often present. Skunks may be seen out in daylight, which is an unusual behavior for them, or they may get into a dog pen or under a house. Many animals have a marked change in voice pitch, such as a muted or off-key tone. An animal usually dies within one week of demonstrating signs of rabies. Not all rabid animals act in these ways, however, so you should avoid all wild animals - especially skunks, bats and stray cats and dogs...
http://www.arkansas.gov/health/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=564