Health officials in Michigan have issued a warning to residents who have purchased skunks from specific breeders, as one of the skunks has tested positive for rabies. The skunks were purchased from Countryside Feather Farm/Rose's Skunks in Attica or through a Chesterfield Township/New Baltimore seller connected to Rose's Skunks. It is believed that wild skunks were co-mingled with bred and captive skunks at the location, which is illegal without proper permitting in Michigan.
As of December 1, 2023, Michigan has reported 53 cases of rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that can be fatal to humans and animals. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. The incubation period for rabies in skunks can be several months, and treatment is necessary to prevent infection.
Symptoms in animals include fever, lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, brain dysfunction, difficulty walking, paralysis, seizures, difficulty swallowing, abnormal behavior, and aggression. More specific symptoms related to brain dysfunction may follow these initial symptoms.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, along with the departments of Natural Resources, and Agriculture and Rural Development, are working to alert residents and provide guidance on what to do if they have interacted with a skunk. Residents are urged to avoid contact with wildlife and report any sick animals to the Department of Natural Resources. It is also important to note that residents cannot have skunks bred in captivity without a permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.