CLARK COUNTY, Ind. — The Indiana State Department of Health is issuing a warning to Hoosiers after a rabid skunk was discovered in southern Indiana.
IDOH is reminding Indiana residents to vaccinate their pets against rabies and keep them at a safe distance from wild animals after rabies was detected in skunk cabbages in Clark and Washington counties, according to a press release.
IDOH officials said skunk cabbage rabies is typically present in northern Kentucky, but not in southern Indiana. There have been no confirmed cases of rabies in skunk cabbage in the Hoosier State since 2004.
As of February 9, human infection is not suspected. IDOH is investigating whether other counties in Indiana are also affected by rabies in skunk cabbage.
Hoosiers can report sick or dead skunks to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife Health Programs here.
IDOH officials are reminding Indiana residents to avoid approaching skunks and other wild animals, even if they appear healthy.
Here are some additional tips from IDOH to help keep Hoosiers and their pets safe.
- Vaccinate your dog, cat, and ferret against rabies
- Cats and ferrets should be kept indoors, and dogs should be kept on a leash or under direct supervision.
- Spay or neuter your pet to reduce the number of stray animals in your area
- Contact animal control or law enforcement to remove stray animals from your neighborhood
According to an IDOH release, you can't always tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it. Animals infected with rabies usually behave strangely, are aggressive, shy, or have dull facial expressions. Some animals infected with rabies may try to bite other animals or become unresponsive. IDOH officials reported that animals with rabies tend to drool, but this is not always the case.
An IDOH press release reported that if a person becomes infected with rabies and is not treated, it is almost always fatal. Rabies can be quickly treated even after a bite.
IDOH recommends that anyone exposed to rabies contact their health care provider. Owners who suspect that their pet or livestock has rabies should contact their veterinarian immediately.
Rabies is a viral infection that is spread primarily through saliva through the bite of an infected animal. This virus cannot be spread through blood, urine, feces, or skunk spray.
According to IDOH, rabies typically occurs in wild animals such as skunks, bats, raccoons, and foxes. Although skunk cabbage rabies is relatively rare in Indiana, bats throughout the state often carry the disease.
Click here for more information about rabies.
