RABID SKUNK FOUND IN COUNTY; HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISSUES ALERT TO INFORM PEOPLE

Cape Girardeau County is under the first rabies alert in 11 years after a skunk was found with the disease near Millersville.

County and state health officials issued the alert to inform residents that a case of rabies has been reported.

"This is not to cause a panic but to bring to people's attention that rabies, just like any other communicable disease, is around," said Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department.

The skunk was discovered Wednesday when a family dog dragged the animal into a yard in a rural area near Millersville. The dog had been vaccinated.

No other case of rabies has been reported. Craig said the county hasn't had a confirmed case of rabies in 11 years, but the disease likely has been present in the wild-animal population.

County officials were notified Thursday of the confirmed case after the skunk was tested at the state health department lab in Poplar Bluff.

Rabies is transmitted in the saliva of a rabid animal through biting or scratching. Both animals and humans can be infected.

Left untreated, rabies results in death by paralysis. Treatment for human beings costs an average of $850 a person. Health department officials estimate that more than $1 million is spent annually on rabies treatment in Missouri.

To curb the spread of the disease, all household pets, especially dogs and cats, should be vaccinated against rabies. Those animals with up-to-date vaccinations will be protected.

"The key is prevention," Craig said.

Jane Wernsman, assistant director of the county health department, said suspect animals should be reported to local animal control agents, veterinarians or the health department.