Skunk Tests Positive For Rabies In Montclair: Health Officials

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A skunk captured on Gates Avenue last week has tested positive for the rabies virus, Montclair health officials said.

Montclair town officials issued the following advisory on Friday:

“Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals usually transmitted to animals or people through bites and contact with the saliva of an infected animal. Once infected animals become ill, they may bite or attack other animals or people. Common carriers of the virus are raccoons, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, bats, and feral (stray) cats.”

Officials continued:

• The Montclair Health Department advises you to stay away from wild animals and animals that you do not know
• Please DO NOT FEED STRAY ANIMALS
• Be certain that your pets are licensed, vaccinated and up to date on rabies vaccination

“Some warning signs in animals infected with a neurological disease like rabies and distemper include appearing drunk or excessively wobbly, circling, seeming partially paralyzed, unable to climb, acting disorientated or mutilating itself,” Montclair officials stated.

“If you notice an animal acting strangely, please contact the Montclair Police Department 973-744-1234 to have an Animal Control Officer dispatched,” officials said.

Montclair animal control officials say that residents shouldn't panic when they come across a skunk. The first – and most important – thing to do would be to note its behavior.

"If you come across a skunk on your property, but it doesn't run away when you start to approach, it could be simply be due to the fact that skunks have poor eyesight and they can't see more than a few feet in front of them," Montclair officials state on the municipal website. "So when approached by humans, the humans can get pretty close before noticing a reaction from the skunk."

According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), healthy skunks are "peace-loving" and "non-aggressive." The animals do most of their foraging at night. However, it is not uncommon for healthy skunks to appear during the day, the group says.

“A skunk who appears ill is far more likely to have distemper than rabies, and distemper is not contagious to humans,” PETA states.

• See related article: It Stinks Being Stuck In A Yogurt Package, Montclair Skunk Learns

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