Skunk in Newark Tests Positive For Rabies
Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | News | Date Posted: Thursday, July 1, 2021
Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | News | Date Posted: Thursday, July 1, 2021
DOVER (July 1, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising New Castle County residents who live or spend time in the area west of Rt. 273, near S. Brownleaf Road, Sonant Drive, and Stature Drive in Newark, of a positive case of rabies in a skunk. Two individuals were potentially exposed to the tissue/saliva of the skunk after their dog had found and killed it in their backyard. The skunk was tested for rabies, which returned positive results on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The individuals have begun post-exposure prophylaxis treatment.
Anyone who thinks they might have been bitten, scratched, or come in contact with a skunk in this area should immediately contact their health care provider or call the DPH Rabies Program at 302-744-4995. An epidemiologist is available 24/7. Anyone in the area who thinks a skunk may have bitten their pet should call their private veterinarian for examination, treatment, and to report the exposure to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Rabies is a preventable disease. DPH recommends that individuals take the following steps to prevent rabies exposure:
Since Jan. 1, 2021, DPH has performed rabies tests on 75 animals, two of which were confirmed to be rabid, including one cat and this skunk. DPH only announces those rabies cases for which it is possible the animal had unknown contacts with additional humans or pets.
In 2020, DPH performed rabies tests on 121 animals, four of which were confirmed to be rabid, including one raccoon, one bat, and two cats.
Rabies is an infectious disease affecting the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Infection can occur through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or if saliva from such an animal gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or an opening in the skin. Rabies in humans and animals cannot be cured once symptoms appear. Therefore, if a human has been exposed, and the animal is unavailable to be quarantined or tested, DPH recommends that people receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment, a series of four vaccinations, as a precautionary measure.
If You Encounter an Animal Behaving Aggressively:
If You Encounter a Sick or Injured Animal:
For more information on the DPH rabies program, visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/rabies.html or call 1-866-972-9705 or 302-744-4995. For more information on rabies, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e. TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Related Topics: Newark, rabies exposure, Rabies program
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
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Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | News | Date Posted: Thursday, July 1, 2021
DOVER (July 1, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising New Castle County residents who live or spend time in the area west of Rt. 273, near S. Brownleaf Road, Sonant Drive, and Stature Drive in Newark, of a positive case of rabies in a skunk. Two individuals were potentially exposed to the tissue/saliva of the skunk after their dog had found and killed it in their backyard. The skunk was tested for rabies, which returned positive results on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The individuals have begun post-exposure prophylaxis treatment.
Anyone who thinks they might have been bitten, scratched, or come in contact with a skunk in this area should immediately contact their health care provider or call the DPH Rabies Program at 302-744-4995. An epidemiologist is available 24/7. Anyone in the area who thinks a skunk may have bitten their pet should call their private veterinarian for examination, treatment, and to report the exposure to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Rabies is a preventable disease. DPH recommends that individuals take the following steps to prevent rabies exposure:
Since Jan. 1, 2021, DPH has performed rabies tests on 75 animals, two of which were confirmed to be rabid, including one cat and this skunk. DPH only announces those rabies cases for which it is possible the animal had unknown contacts with additional humans or pets.
In 2020, DPH performed rabies tests on 121 animals, four of which were confirmed to be rabid, including one raccoon, one bat, and two cats.
Rabies is an infectious disease affecting the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Infection can occur through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or if saliva from such an animal gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or an opening in the skin. Rabies in humans and animals cannot be cured once symptoms appear. Therefore, if a human has been exposed, and the animal is unavailable to be quarantined or tested, DPH recommends that people receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment, a series of four vaccinations, as a precautionary measure.
If You Encounter an Animal Behaving Aggressively:
If You Encounter a Sick or Injured Animal:
For more information on the DPH rabies program, visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/rabies.html or call 1-866-972-9705 or 302-744-4995. For more information on rabies, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e. TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Related Topics: Newark, rabies exposure, Rabies program
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.