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| Earl Steffen of Fairbury, Ill., lost his life when the brick-hauling semi he was driving pinballed off seven other vehicles the afternoon of May 1 along eastbound I-70 on the Box Elder Creek Bridge. |
“We found rabies in a terrestrial skunk,” said Dr. Reed Hanks with Strasburg Veterinary Clinic. “Cats and dogs, get them vaccinated and be aware of any abnormally behaving animals — skunks, bats, foxes, coyotes, raccoons.
“In Colorado, rabies is extremely rare. We have not had it in this area in almost forever.”
Hanks said no one was exposed to the disease when the animal was brought to the clinic early last week.
He said the skunk wandered onto the Byers property and was acting abnormally and wobbling and staggering as it moved.
The residents shot it and contacted the clinic.
The animal was retrieved and sent to the state laboratory for testing.
“Lo and behold, the thing was positive,” Hanks added. “It just floored me.”
A small outbreak of rabies occurred in southeast Colorado in June 2007 when an infected coyote was found. Hanks noted that 10-15 years had passed since the last such outbreak and recommended that people call their veterinarian if they come across an abnormally behaving animal.
“If in doubt, don’t touch,” he said.
Hanks also noted that a skunk surveillance program is offered through the state.