A skunk in Weld County tested positive for rabies for the first time since 2023, the county announced Friday afternoon.
The skunk was found Tuesday on a residential property east of Eaton, a county news release said. The animal was observed to be displaying abnormal behavior near livestock, leading the property owner to contact animal control and the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment.
Rabies is a viral disease and nearly 100% fatal once symptoms begin, according to the county. Bats and skunks are the most common carriers of the virus in Colorado, but it may also affect other wildlife including foxes, raccoons and coyotes.
Activity during the day, aggressive behavior or showing poor coordination can be signs a skunk has rabies.
Rabies spreads to people and pets through bites and scratches of an infected animal.
There has never been a human death from rabies in the county. Several dozen people have required preventative treatment following contact with wild animals, including 21 who were exposed in 2018 after a woman in southern Weld County brought a baby raccoon into her home. The animal had been abandoned by its mother.
The case was the largest rabies exposure ever experienced by the county, health department officials said at the time.
Those who think they have been exposed to rabies should contact a doctor immediately. Effective treatment is available if given before symptoms appear.
Pet owners are urged to have all domestic animals — dogs, cats, horses and livestock — vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian. Unvaccinated pets that come in contact with a rabid animal are required to be euthanized or quarantined for 120 days at the owner’s expense.
To prevent exposure to rabies, the county also recommends:
- Do not feed, touch or handle wild animals
- Closely watch an unvaccinated puppy or kitten while it is outside until the animal has been vaccinated and for 28 days after the vaccination
- Spay or neuter pets to reduce the number of unwanted or stray animals in a neighborhood.
For more information or if pets have come in contact with a wild animal, contact the county health department at 970-400-2290. Additional information on rabies is available at weld.gov/go/zoonosis.