Skunk Tests Positive For Rabies In East Haven

EAST HAVEN, CT — A skunk captured on Short Beach Road has tested positive for rabies, health officials say. And East Haven Animal Control says people in that area with dogs or other pets that may have come into contact with the rabid skunk contact Animal Control at (203) 468-3249.

According to a release from the East Shore District Health Department, animal control seized the skunk on Monday Dec. 2.

Health department assistant director Alex Cinotti said that as the weather turns colder, animals are seeking shelter.

“We want residents to be aware that they could encounter more wild animals if they have spaces on their property where animals may find shelter from the elements, Cinotti said.

In Connecticut, rabies is usually carried by skunks, raccoons, and bats but any mammal could carry the disease.

Here are simple precautions that folks can take to keep themselves and their pets safe:

• Vaccinate your pets. Be sure your pet dogs, cats and ferrets as well as horses and valuable livestock animals are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors and allowed outside only under direct observation.
• Keep family pets indoors at night. Don't leave them outside unattended or let them roam free.
• Don't attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed or other foods that may attract wild animals. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cap or put away garbage cans.
• Block up any places where animals may find shelter, under sheds, in crawl spaces, etc.
• Don't feed, touch or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats. Enjoy wildlife from a distance. If you see an animal that is sick, injured or orphaned, call an animal control officer or a wildlife rehabilitator. Do not handle the animal yourself.
• Get wild animals removed from your home. If nuisance wild animals are living in parts of your home, consult with a nuisance wildlife control expert about having them removed.
• Teach children not to touch any animal they do not know and to tell an adult immediately if they are bitten by any animal.
• Let wild animals wander away if they are on your property. Bring children and pets indoors and alert neighbors who are outside.
• Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to your local health department. If possible, do not let any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to rabies.

To learn more about rabies in both humans and animals, call or visit the Centers for Disease Control at 1-800- CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).

For more local information, contact the East Shore District Health Department at (203)-481-4233 or visit the website. And, here are the local animal control officer contact phone numbers: East Haven: (203) 468-3249; Branford: (203) 315-4125; and North Branford: (203) 315-4125