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By Liam McConnell
Published on June 20, 2022 at 3:17 p.m.
A rabid skunk has been found in St. Catharines, which shows a potential risk to the health of the city’s residents.
This is the fifth rabid skunk discovered in the region this year. This puts Niagara on track to find a similar number as last year, when they saw 14 rabid animals, 12 skunks and two raccoons.
Skunks are usually not aggressive, they usually spray their strong aroma and run away. As a result, skunk bites are quite rare. However, rabies has an evolutionary strategy of a “crazy dog” that makes otherwise obedient animals very aggressive.
The skunk ranks as the third most likely animal to suffer from rabies in 24.7% of cases, after only raccoons (32.4) and bats (27.2). The virus enters their bloodstream most often through a bite transmitted through the animal’s saliva.
While symptoms appear for some time if people are bitten, the brain eventually swells, leading to nausea, vomiting, violent movements, agitation, fear of water, partial paralysis, confusion, coma, and eventually death.
Once these symptoms appear, the World Health Organization says the disease is “virtually 100% fatal.”
Animals with rabies often show behavioral evidence of their infection. In the case of skunks, nocturnal creatures will normally roam during the day. They may have problems with movement and look like seizures.
Furious skunks often lose their sense of fear around people. Usually agile, healthy skunks are much more likely to turn their tails and escape. However, rabies distracts the nervous system and encourages aggressive behavior.
Finally, the victim of rabies due to fear of water is unable to swallow his own saliva. The excess accumulates, creating foam in the mouth. This allows the virus to spread more easily.
However, due to the long interval between infection and the onset of symptoms, the skunk may be rabid but not yet showing symptoms. Niagara Health said all wildlife bites should be evaluated medically.
They also advise residents to;
- keep dogs and cats vaccinated
- do not leave pets free or unattended outdoors,
- Avoid any contact with wildlife and avoid contact between pets and wildlife
- Report unusual behavior (especially raccoons) to local wildlife control services:
- Welland SPCA: 905-735-1552
- Lincoln County Humane Society: 905-682-0767
- Humane Society of Niagara Falls: 905-356-4404
- Fort Erie Humane Society: 905-871-2461
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