AMESBURY — A rabid skunk was found this weekend off Route 110, and the town is warning residents to take precautions in case there are more rabid animals on the loose.
Residents of the Macy Terrace neighborhood got an unwelcome and frightening visit from an oddly behaving skunk Friday afternoon. The creature later tested positive for rabies.
"With rabies being found in our area, it's so important for people to make sure all of their domestic pets' vaccinations are up to date and to limit both their pets', their children's and their own exposure to wild animals. If residents keep those ideas in mind, we shouldn't have any problems," said Jennifer Yim, the mayor's chief of staff.
The skunk was first spotted Friday afternoon in the Macy Terrace neighborhood off Route 110, near Amesbury Middle School. According to Yim, who worked with other officials to resolve the situation, the animal's odd behavior and daytime sighting prompted concerned locals to contact Regional Public Health Director Jack Morris, who serves the towns of Salisbury and Amesbury.
Animal Control Officer Harold Congdon was dispatched to the scene and was able to find and retrieve the animal. It was promptly sent to the state's laboratory for rabies testing, the results of which were communicated to Amesbury officials Saturday.
With the news that rabies had indeed found its way in to Amesbury, Yim said Morris assembled a team composed of public health officials, Amesbury police and individuals from Amesbury's emergency management response to gather information and disseminate rabies literature to the affected area.
The Macy Terrace neighborhood was canvassed Saturday, and residents were talked to face-to-face to find out if anyone came into contact with the creature and could have contracted the disease or if any other sightings had occurred. Because the team was out on a weekend day, Morris reported to Yim that 90 percent of the residents of Macy Terrace were at home and were personally questioned about their own experiences and informed of the situation. There were no reports of contact with the infected animal.
"We found no exposure to rabies, which I'm very, very thankful for," Yim said.
Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system. It is transmitted through saliva or brain or nervous system tissue bodily fluids of an infected animal. It is deadly for pets, while in humans, it can be treated once contracted, though the treatments must be administered quickly and are painful.
According to the Center for Disease Control, all species of mammals are susceptible to rabies virus infection, but only a few species are important as reservoirs for the disease. In the United States, distinct strains of rabies virus have been identified in raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes. In New England, the most common carriers are skunks and raccoons, as they are most prevalent in the region. Most rabies cases are reported in the summer, when higher numbers of animals are found outside.
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Rabies affects animal behavior in various ways. Experts say to avoid wild animals that:
Appear to be sick or drool.
Are aggressive.
Seem overly tame.
Aren't afraid of humans.
Normally come out at night but appear during the day.
Anyone with questions or concerns is urged to contact Regional Health Director Jack Morris at 978-388-8129, ext. 752.
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