Laramie County Health Official Urges Rabies Precautions

An official with the Cheyenne-Laramie County Public Health Department is warning people to take precautions after a pair of rabid skunks were found near the city recently.

Gary Hickman with the agency's Environmental Health Division says the skunks were found in rural areas to the northwest and northeast of the city. Both of the skunks had been in contact with animals and one had been in contact with a person.

Hickman says people should make sure all pets are vaccinated against rabies and should avoid directly handling dead animals such as skunks and bats. Any animal that is acting strangely or seems unusually aggressive should be avoided.

Rabies is extremely deadly to animals and humans.

Animal bites should be reported to animal control immediately at 635-1453 so that testing can be conducted to find out if the animal has rabies.