Another Captured Skunk Tests Positive For Rabies In Montclair – Montclair, NJ Patch
MONTCLAIR, NJ — Another skunk has tested positive for rabies in Montclair, officials announced Wednesday.
A skunk was captured on Sunday on South Fullerton Avenue. It later tested positive for the rabies virus, officials said.
Earlier this month, the Montclair Health Department received a report that a skunk captured on Gates Avenue tested positive for rabies.
“If you notice an animal acting strangely, please contact the Montclair Police Department 973-744-1234 to have an animal control officer dispatched,” town officials stated.
According to municipal officials:
“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.”
Officials added:
“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.”
According to Montclair officials, 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.
The Humane Society of the United States writes:
“Thanks to widespread pet vaccinations, effective post-exposure treatment and the relative rarity of undetected bites by rabid animals, the number of human deaths from rabies in the United States caused has declined to an average of only one or two per year—far less than the number of human fatalities caused by lightning strikes.”
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.
A skunk captured on South Fullerton Avenue tested positive for the Rabies virus. If you notice an animal acting strangely, please contact the
@MontclairPD 973-744-1234 to have an Animal Control Officer dispatched. For more info, Humane Society:https://t.co/rmnkxxd47n
— Montclair, NJ (@MontclairNJGov) September 23, 2020
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