2 rabid skunks found at A&M; warning issued | Bryan/College Station, Texas

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Published Thursday, August 21, 2008 2:18 AM

2 rabid skunks found at A&M; warning issued

By CASSIE SMITH
cassie.smith@theeagle.com

Two skunks found at Texas A&M University have tested positive for rabies, prompting campus officials to remind people not to handle wild animals.

The skunks were found in the Veterinary Medical Park, said Texas A&M Assistant Vice President Chris Meyer, and both animals were captured so that they could be tested for rabies.

The first skunk was found the first week in August, the second late last week, said John Salsman, A&M University director of environmental heath and safety.

While the skunks were not near areas frequented by students, faculty or staff, Salsman said, they were near the area that holds the research animals. The research animals have been vaccinated against rabies, he said.

It was the first time in several years that an animal on campus has tested positive for rabies.

"We haven't had any recently that I'm aware of," Salsman said. "What we want people to do, No. 1, stay away from wild animals, period. And really you should do that any time, but particularly now because we found these two skunks."

Including the two skunks, 14 rabid animals have been found in Brazos County since January.

Signs of rabid animals include pawing at the mouth, difficulty swallowing, an increase in saliva and sickness.

Salsman encouraged people to call the university's Physical Plant at 845-3383 if they see an animal acting strangely or approaching people instead of running away.

Norman Maxwell Jr., the pest control supervisor at the Physical Plant, said the university traps many animals throughout the year, typically just to get them away from people. Usually, he said, those animals appear healthy.

The last rabid animal he dealt with was a bat, about two years ago, he said.

All pest control staff members have been vaccinated against rabies, Maxwell said.

A representative from the Brazos County Health Department referred questions to the Brazos Animal Shelter. An official at the animal shelter said the health department was the agency responsible for rabies cases.

Salsman said the best thing people can do is to leave wild animals alone -- don't try to capture them -- and call experts to handle them.

AT A GLANCE

* Rabies is a medical urgency, not an emergency.

* Wash a rabies wound, then seek medical attention from a health care professional.

* The rabies virus is transmitted through saliva and brain/nervous tissue.

* Contact with blood, urine or feces does not constitute exposure.

* Rabies is transmitted only when the virus is introduced into a bite wound, an open cut in the skin or into the mouth or eyes.

* Any mammal can get rabies.

* Symptoms of rabies in humans include fever, headache, insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, hallucinations, hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing and fear of water. Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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22 comment(s) found!

Posted by: Peppy Lepew On: 8/23/2008

Comment Title:
All of the rabid skunks came from the HUD housing in Bryan.

Posted by: CountyGuy On: 8/22/2008

Comment Title: Lots of Skunks
There are lots of "skunks" at A&M. I know because I have had to deal with several of them.

Posted by: On: 8/22/2008

Comment Title:
Thats not a skunk...thats do do baby!!

Posted by: On: 8/22/2008

Comment Title:
To the writer of the skunks prayer: Dropping acid is old-school and you should also pour out all your left over mushroom tea. MHMR is really swamped but if you don't have insurance, it would be worth checking in with them for some help.

Posted by: On: 8/22/2008

Comment Title:
Skeet Skeet......signed The skunk

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title: Skunks
Their numbers of total rabid animals is a little off. The number is closer to 32 positive rabid animals. These numbers come from the Texas Department of State Health & Human Services and the Brazos Animal Shelter. I know The Eagle doesn't always get everything right in their printings, but at least get something right every once in a while.

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title:
A Skunk’s Prayer Let the sun rise big and bright, upon this beautiful Earth. Let the pastel colors of the rainbow bridge the land in a sweet embrace. Let the crystal waters forever reflect the soft moonlight, dancing diamonds gently among it’s ripples. Let the birds song echo a promise of joy. Brighten this world of ours with recognition and understanding of our differences, as well as our similarities. Allow peace and love to dwell among man and animals, and the burdens carried upon our small shoulders, as well as the burdens of mankind, be lifted forever. And Mother Earth and her children live together as one.

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title:
This kind of thing happens all the time in C.S.

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title:
Sydney, you posted "please come get them" do you know who to report the skunks to so that they will be picked up? Im not sure pest control is reading these posts

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title:
Sydney, we also have the same problem down @ the other end of the road from you ( near the General Services complex)

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title:
To Sydney: You said "early a.m." so I don't know what time that means. But if it's daylight, be extra careful. Skunks are nocturnal and if they're wandering around in daylight they might be rabid.

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title:
I understand campus is no place for skunks, but those other place like tom light dr, austin colony, and wheeler ridge are surrounded by woods and creeks. I'm not a tree hugger but come on seriously, its nature trying to adapt. Just don't mess with them and if you think any animal looks "sick" call animal control. By simply stating where the skunks are is dumb because they are everywhere. I gotta go I just saw a cotton-tail rabbit, HELP!

Posted by: Rodney On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title: Skunk Sight seeing
Personally if I were to see a skunk I would not intentially go toward it........everyone knows that. I think if it was a fluffy kitten or something more inviting then I would understand the warning...but have no fear if I see a skunk I will not attempt to become friends with it.

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title:
Code Maroon at it's finest - "RAPID SKUNKS ON CAMPUS - STAY HOME AND DON'T GO TO CLASS TODAY"

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title:
it's OK...we have anorexic termites to fight them off (refer to column about the new look of the Eagle)

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title: spring loop
There is a waste water treatment facillity behind spring loop so it will always smell.

Posted by: On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title:
OH MY GOD RABID SKUNKS! Everyone run for your lives! Note to self. Stop handling wild skunks and squirrels. Especially if they are frothy at the mouth and crazy-eyed.

Posted by: PEPE LE PU On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title: spring loop
Thats not skunk from Spring loop, its sewer. They cant seem to fix that smell ever.

Posted by: J Miles On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title: jog
I jog around the Austin Collony area to the Wheeler ridge area every two days, and yes i have to hold my nose sometimes around the cow pasture there and i have smelled the skunks too. So you are both right...:)

Posted by: paul On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title: was there too
Iwas at Atkinson Toyota yesterday, and that is on Tom Light drive too. I didnt smell skunk, but man can you smell the cow poo. Atkinson is a really nice place and dont think i have ever seen or smelt skunk.

Posted by: Ballin out of control On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title: bryan too?
Have they checked the bryan areas? I live close to Tom Light drive, the road. Dont get down wind of that place! They should check that street, the building and why not go inside and check too. Many lowlife skunks around there. We dont want anyone getting bit. Also the area behind the post oak mall has had a few crazy rabid skunks too. I saw one chase a small dog at the park there last week. If you dont believe me, roll down your window when you drive by both areas! It smells like spring loop!!

Posted by: sydney On: 8/21/2008

Comment Title: more skunks
We have a skunk problem underneath the surplus building on agronomy rd, across from the transportation builing/auto shop. Many skunks are seen early a.m. as employees come to work. This is very close to the medical park. Please come get them, they are always spraying and making it funky around here!!!