Home HEALTH 2 new rabies cases confirmed in skunks in Southfield, Farmington Hills – Detroit Free Press

2 new rabies cases confirmed in skunks in Southfield, Farmington Hills – Detroit Free Press

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2 new rabies cases confirmed in skunks in Southfield, Farmington Hills – Detroit Free Press

Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press
Published 12:19 p.m. ET Oct. 9, 2019 | Updated 6:14 p.m. ET Oct. 9, 2019CLOSE
Some facts about rabies and what to do if you are bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies.
Statesman JournalTwo new cases of rabies in skunks — in Southfield and Farmington Hills — have been confirmed, Oakland County officials said Wednesday.The new cases bring this year’s total of verified rabies to four bats and eight skunks in Oakland County.”We continue to work with partnering agencies to investigate the recent increase of animal rabies cases in Oakland County,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, Oakland County Health Officer. “We are particularly interested in three dead skunks removed in Southfield within a mile radius of each other.”Officials said that bats and skunks are the most common carriers of rabies in Michigan. And they continue to urge residents to avoid wild animals such as skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and stray cats and dogs to protect against rabies.Last month, officials announced that skunks in Southfield and Troy also were found to have rabies.One of the skunks was removed from Southfield Road, north of 10 Mile, and at that time officials said multiple dead skunks had been discovered recently in the area, but were not tested for rabies.More: Oakland County confirms 2 more rabid skunks: Here’s how to protect from rabiesOfficials said the rabies virus is found in the saliva of infected animals and is spread through bites or scratches. Rabies is not spread through a skunk’s spray, they said.They said if you or your pet is bitten by a wild animal or an animal unknown to you, wash the affected area with soap and water and seek medical or veterinary attention immediately. If a human was bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, disease prevention includes rabies vaccines.Officials offer ways to protect against rabies:Have pets vaccinated regularlyDo not handle stray, wild or dead animalsKeep pets indoors or supervised to limit exposure to wild animals that may be rabidUse a leash to walk dogs or keep them in a fenced-in yardDon’t leave food or water outside for pets when unattendedKeep garbage securely coveredCall local animal control experts for help if an animal is acting strangely. That includes: having problems swallowing; drooling or having a lot of saliva; appearing tamer than expected; biting at everything; having trouble moving, or is paralyzedTo report an animal bite, call your local law enforcement, then notify the county health division at 248-858-1286.For more information about rabies, go to oakgov.com/health or contact Nurse on Call from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 800-848-5533 or NOC@oakgov.com.More: Bats with rabies on the rise in Michigan, health officials sayContact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.Read or Share this story: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2019/10/09/skunks-rabies-oakland-county/3918164002/

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