The Associated Press recently reported a total of five rabid skunks have been found in Laramie County.

City of Laramie Animal Control Officer Rene Sollars said she has only heard of one rabid skunk this year near Laramie, which was close to the stateline between Laramie and Fort Collins.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website  “Transmission of rabies virus usually begins when infected saliva of a host is passed to a non infected animal. The most common mode of rabies virus transmission is through the bite and virus-containing saliva of an infected host.” 

However, it should be noted rabies is not transmitted via skunk spray. 

If you happen to see a skunk, Sollars offers the following advice to protect yourself and your pets against rabies:

==>  Be sure to keep your cats and dogs vaccinated against rabies and distemper as they are more likely to have a close encounter with a rabid skunk.

==>  Make your yard less hospitable for skunks by covering all trash bins, removing all outdoor food sources for pets and removing unused cars and containers that could be used as shelter for skunks. 

==>  If you see a skunk out in the daytime or acting strangely notify the City of Laramie Animal Control or the Albany County Sherriff’s department. Skunks are nocturnal creatures by nature.