Published 19:59 IST, October 18th 2019

Public urged to avoid wild animals after rabid skunk cases

Suburban Detroit officials are urging the public to stay away from wild animals after nearly a dozen cases of rabies have been confirmed in skunks.

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Suburban Detroit officials are urging public to stay away from wild animals after nearly a dozen cases of rabies have been confirmed in skunks.

Oakland County health officials said Thursday a de skunk found in West Bloomfield tested positive for rabies, bringing number of skunks confirmed to have virus in county to 11. Four bats have also tested positive.

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Officials urged residents to stay away from skunks, bats and or wild animals, as well as stray cats and dogs.

Rabid skunks can pose a greater threat to public than rabid bats because y’re ground-based animals more likely to interact with people and pets.

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Rabies can be fatal to humans after symptoms begin to occur. Deaths can be prevented with a vaccine ministered immediately after exposure.

19:53 IST, October 18th 2019