Health officials issue rabies warning after raccoon visits North Dakota bar

MADDOCK, N.D. — North Dakota well being officers are issuing a warning after somebody introduced a raccoon into the Maddock Bar, leading to patrons probably being uncovered to rabies.

The state Division of Well being and Human Companies put out the warning Tuesday, Sept. 13, saying the raccoon was introduced into the bar on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Well being officers described the animal as a “captive raccoon,” nevertheless it was not instantly clear what that meant or why the raccoon was introduced into the bar in Maddock, a Benson County city in northeast North Dakota.

Well being officers mentioned that anybody bitten by the raccoon or anybody who had contact with the raccoon’s saliva ought to converse with a well being care supplier as quickly as doable, relating to the chance of rabies.

“As a result of rabies is such a critical illness with a virtually 100% fatality price, we’re making this info obtainable to the general public as a precautionary measure,” mentioned Amanda Bakken, a state epidemiologist.

Rabies, a viral an infection, impacts mammals, together with people. The virus circulates in wild animals within the U.S. and is mostly present in bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes. Rabid wildlife can unfold rabies to unvaccinated cats, canines and livestock, which may then infect folks.

“The virus is most frequently transmitted by the chew of an contaminated animal. Rabies can be transmitted if saliva or nervous system tissue from a rabid animal enters open cuts and wounds or the eyes, nostril, or mouth. The virus assaults the nervous system and causes swelling of the mind. There is no such thing as a remedy and rabies is sort of at all times deadly,” the division mentioned in its warning.

The Division of Well being and Human Companies recommends taking these precautions to scale back the chance of rabies:

• Don’t preserve wild animals as pets. It’s illegal in North Dakota to maintain a raccoon or skunk as a pet.
• Attempt to preserve stray animals and wildlife, particularly skunks, away from pets and livestock.
• Maintain canines, cats, ferrets and horses updated on rabies vaccinations.
• Don’t go away uncovered rubbish or pet meals exterior as a result of it might entice wild or stray animals.
• Don’t strategy unfamiliar or wild animals.
• Discover ways to stop animal bites, particularly to kids. Educate kids by no means to deal with or strategy unknown animals with out permission from a dad or mum or guardian and the animal’s proprietor.
• Report stray animals or animals appearing unusually to native animal management officers.
• Bat-proof your property to forestall bats from nesting inside and having access to folks or pets.
• Keep away from contact with animals whereas touring, particularly internationally.

Six rabid animals have been reported in North Dakota to date this 12 months, together with two bats, two cats, a cow and a skunk. For extra details about rabies, go to 

ndhealth.gov/illness/rabies

.