BRATTLEBORO — According to the Vermont Department of Health, rabies is a fatal viral disease found mainly in wildlife - especially raccoons, foxes, bats, skunks and woodchucks - but can infect domestic animals and humans.
The health department says there have been hundreds of cases of animal rabies have been reported throughout Vermont in the past 20 years.
Rabies is mainly transmitted by an animal bite, the health department says, but rare non-bite exposures can occur if wet infectious saliva or nerve tissue contacts a fresh open wound or the eyes, nose or mouth.
If one is bitten by an animal, the department says the wound should be washed immediately and medical help should be sought as soon as possible.
The department also advises people to avoid any animal that exhibits strange behavior, and not to try and trap or capture the animal themselves. Instead, call the state's Rabies Hotline at 800-472-2437 (800-4-RABIES).