Maine
Raccoons are the most common source of human exposure to rabies in Maine
Spend sufficient time outdoor in Maine and in the end you’ll run into wildlife. It’s an exhilarating expertise however it may possibly flip ugly if the critter in query seems to be rabid.
That was the case in dozens of cases final 12 months when 35 animals examined optimistic for rabies after coming involved with an individual, in keeping with the Maine Middle for Illness Management and Prevention.
A couple of-third of these — 12 — have been present in raccoons.
Over the previous 10 years, Maine CDC reported that raccoons have been the most typical supply of rabies-to-human publicity.
“Rabies can infect any animal that has hair,” mentioned Tegwin Taylor, wildlife well being biologist with the Maine Division of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. “In Maine, rabies is endemic in raccoons, so though rabies can infect a wide range of wildlife and home mammals, raccoons are the most typical supply for rabies in our space.”
Generally, these rabid raccoon encounters occur within the consolation of 1’s own residence.
Final week a Bowdoinham lady was attacked inside her residence after a rabid raccoon got here into her solar room by way of a pet door. She was bitten on the leg and is presently present process therapy after the animal examined optimistic for rabies.
Animal management officers consider the raccoon was not alone and are looking out for 2 different probably rabid raccoons within the space.
In a extra well-known rabid raccoon case in Maine, a lady jogger in Hope gained worldwide fame after drowning an attacking animal in a puddle in 2016.
Two years later one other rabid raccoon was dispatched in Hope by a resident — this time utilizing a boring bread knife — after the animal attacked his canine.
The final time the state counted raccoons right here was in 1996. It was estimated that there have been greater than 120,000 of the animals from Kittery to Fort Kent.
Racoons are extraordinarily adaptable and are completely comfy residing in city areas feasting meals waste thrown out by folks. Sometimes called “trash pandas,” the critters have been identified to raid rubbish cans and enterprise dumpsters looking for a meal.
“We do are likely to detect rabies in these species which are extra tolerant of, or residing round, folks,” Taylor mentioned. “Raccoons are fairly tailored to people so we have a tendency to note their presence when or if they’re behaving unusually.”
A rabid raccoon, or different wild animal, will usually be aggressive, although some will be subdued, mentioned Taylor.
“Generally, if one thing appears ‘off’ or odd about an animal, attempt to observe it from a distance after which strive contact assist if wanted,” she mentioned.
Animals get and unfold rabies by way of bites and scratches and the saliva from an contaminated animal is available in contact with mucus membranes just like the eyes or open wounds, even tiny ones.
Smaller mammals are likely to group collectively and are available into contact with different comparable sized animals, Taylor mentioned. That enables them to unfold the illness forwards and backwards.
“Whereas bigger animals sometimes get contaminated with rabies, this isn’t as frequent,” she mentioned. “Though a moose may technically get bitten and contaminated with rabies, there are additionally fewer alternatives for that to occur.”