2 More Rabid Skunks Found Near Fort Collins

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - Health officials in Larimer County said two more skunks were confirmed to have rabies in northeast Fort Collins on Friday.

Jane Viste with Larimer County Health & Environment said one skunk was found in an area near the entrance to the Fort Collins Country Club, and the other approximately two miles north of the first.

"This raises the number of skunks confirmed to have rabies close to Fort Collins to three in the past two weeks," Viste said in a statement.

Officials don't believe the first skunk had any contact with people or pets, but the second skunk entered an enclosure where two dogs were kept and the dogs killed the skunk.

"Fortunately, both dogs were up to date on their vaccines, will get rabies boosters, and be on home observation for 45 days," Viste said.

The Fort Collins Coloradoan has reported another two rabid skunks were also found in Weld County. One skunk was killed by dogs at a residence east of Greeley. The other was found falling over and unable to get out of an irrigation ditch in Eaton. The second was picked up by the Division of Wildlife.

Officials are warning Larimer and Weld county residents to keep their pets, horses and livestock vaccinated and up-to-date and to avoid skunks that are out in daylight or are behaving strangely.

"I can't emphasize too strongly how important it is to make sure your animals are vaccinated," said Dr. Adrienne LeBailly, Larimer County's public health director. "In Pueblo, where skunk rabies first appeared in late 2010, they've already had to euthanize 11unvaccinated animals."

More information on rabies is available under Current Topics at www.larimer.org/health.

Anyone who sees a skunk that might be rabid is asked to call the Larimer Humane Society at (970) 226-3647 ext. 7.