BISMARCK, N.D. (NDDoH) – The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) are reminding the public to be aware of rabies’ risk.

Rabies is a viral infection that affects mammals, including humans. In the United States, the virus circulates in wild animals and is most commonly found in bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and foxes. Rabid wildlife can transmit rabies to unvaccinated cats, dogs, and farm animals, which then pose a threat to people.

“Interactions between wildlife and people continue to increase due to loss of natural habitat and the animals’ ability to adapt to urban and suburban environments, all of which create a risk of rabies exposure to people, pets and livestock,” said Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Sarah Bailey with the NDDA Animal Health Division. “Maintaining current rabies vaccinations in pets and horses, reporting signs of rabies in animals, and seeking appropriate medical care in a timely manner following a bite or wildlife interaction can prevent this fatal disease.”

The virus is most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Rabies can also be transmitted if saliva or nervous system tissue from a rabid animal enters open cuts and wounds or the eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus attacks the nervous system and causes swelling of the brain. There is no treatment and rabies is nearly always fatal.

“You should seek medical care as soon as possible if an animal bites you,” said Laura Cronquist, epidemiologist with the NDDoH. “If the animal is a healthy dog, cat, or domestic ferret, it should be confined and held for observation for ten days to rule out rabies virus transmission. If a wild animal bit you, the animal should be euthanized and tested for rabies.”

The NDDoH and NDDA recommend taking the following precautions to decrease the risk of rabies:

• Keep dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses up to date on vaccinations for rabies. Your veterinarian can advise you on current vaccination recommendations.
• Try to keep stray animals and wildlife, especially skunks, away from pets and livestock.
• Do not leave exposed garbage or pet food outside, as this may attract wild or stray animals to your home or yard.
• Do not approach unfamiliar or wild animals.
• Learn how to prevent animal bites, especially to children. Teach children never to handle or approach unknown animals without permission from a parent or guardian and the animal’s owner.
• Report stray animals or animals acting unusually to local animal control.
• Bat-proof your home to prevent bats from nesting inside and having access to people or pets.
• Do not keep wild animals as pets. It is unlawful in North Dakota to keep a raccoon or a skunk as a pet.
• Avoid contact with animals while traveling, especially internationally.

Skunks are the most common carrier of rabies in North Dakota. In 2019, five rabid animals were reported in North Dakota, including two skunks and one bat. For additional information about animal rabies activity in North Dakota, please visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/rabies.

For more information on rabies, please contact the NDDoH Division of Disease Control at 701-328-2378 or 800-472-2180 or the NDDA Animal Health Division at 701-328-2655.