SKUNK RABIES DETECTED IN CLARK COUNTY

Confirmed case of Rabies in Clark County

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Health urges residents to vaccinate their pets against rabies and to keep a safe distance from wildlife after skunk rabies was confirmed in Clark County. The same type of rabies has recently been found in northern Kentucky, but this is the first case detected in a skunk in Indiana since 2004.

“This may signal increased risk for people and animals in the region,” said Indiana State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Jen Brown. “This is a wake-up call for all Hoosiers to ensure that their pets are vaccinated against this deadly disease.”

Hoosiers can reduce the risk of rabies in people and animals by doing the following:

• Vaccinate dogs, cats and ferrets for rabies

• Keep cats and ferrets indoors and dogs under direct supervision

• Leave stray animals and wildlife alone

• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted or stray animals in the community

• Contact animal control or law enforcement to remove stray animals from your neighborhood

The Indiana Department of Health is working with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health to determine the extent that the virus is circulating in the area. Hoosiers can help by reporting sick or dead skunks to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife Health Program at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.

Rabies is a viral infection that is primarily spread in saliva through the bite of an infected animal. The virus isn’t spread through blood, urine, feces or skunk spray. In the United States, the virus is typically found in wild animals such as bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also become infected. While this is the first time in 20 years that skunk variant rabies has been detected in southern Indiana, rabies is already known to be present in bats throughout the state. 

It’s not always possible to tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it. The only way to know for sure is to have it tested. Animals with rabies typically act strangely, and some may be aggressive and try to bite people or other animals or act shy or be dull and unresponsive. Some rabid animals drool more than normal (“foaming at the mouth”), but this isn’t always the case.

Members of the public should not approach or touch skunks or any other wild animals, even those that appear healthy.

Untreated rabies infection in people is almost always fatal, but it can be prevented with prompt treatment after a bite. If you believe that you have been exposed to rabies, immediately contact your healthcare provider.

Visit the IDOH website for more information about rabies. Visit IDOH at www.health.in.gov for other important health and safety information, or follow us on X at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateHealthIN.