Vermont
Vermont health department warns of uptick in rabies in Chittenden County
The Vermont Division of Well being is warning residents to take precautions because the variety of ground-dwelling animals testing constructive for rabies in Chittenden County has elevated.
Ten animals have examined constructive for rabies within the county since July, in line with the division.
In a typical yr, Chittenden County sees just one or two rabid animals, mostly bats, stated Natalie Kwit, state public well being veterinarian for the well being division.
“It is nonetheless a thriller to us why that is occurring. However, you recognize, it’s a success in that we’re detecting it,” Kwit stated.
No instances of rabies have been reported in Chittenden County in 2021, in line with the well being division’s monitoring knowledge. Fourteen have been detected since January, together with solely two in bats and 12 in skunks and raccoons.
Rabies is a lethal viral illness that infects mammals, together with people. It’s mostly seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats and woodchucks and often spreads by the chew of an contaminated animal.
The state has by no means recorded a case of rabies in a human, in line with Kwit.
In response to the uptick, the U.S. Division of Agriculture hand-vaccinated greater than 700 raccoons, skunks and foxes in Vermont — a program that started initially of the month and ended on Oct. 14.
This system expanded on the federal division’s annual rabies vaccine bait drop, which has operated since 1997 and often takes place mid-summer.
Of the ten contaminated animals discovered since July, 5 have been present in South Burlington, two in Burlington and the remaining three in Charlotte, Shelburne and Colchester. The most recent constructive rabies check was collected on Oct. 8.
The well being division is advising residents to keep away from contact with wild animals, report animals that appear sick or aggressive by calling the Vermont rabies hotline (1-800-4-RABIES) and vaccinate their pets for rabies.
The USDA will proceed to watch and submit animals who’re deceased or behaving unusually in Chittenden County to be examined for rabies.
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