Rabies cases spike, result of mild winter

COUNTY — The number of rabies cases in Maine have increased drastically this winter, the Maine Center for Disease Control reported, after a warning was issued for two foxes in the same York County neighborhood that tested positive for rabies.

And, according to experts, the increase could be a result of the mild winter weather.

“The uncharacteristically warm winter weather that we’ve been experiencing and the lack of significant snowfall may be contributing to the increase by enabling wild animals to roam more freely,” said Dr. Don Hoenig, state veterinarian with the Maine Department of Agriculture (MDA).

According to Shiela Pinette, director of MECDC, 11 rabies cases were confirmed in January alone, of 38 animals that were tested.

Last year, only one animal tested positive for the deadly disease, she said.

"Our concern is that it's been a very warm, mild winter. The animals are out scavenging. We are concerned about the fact that people are approaching animals because they are cute," she said.

Rabid animals have been reported in Knox, Lincoln, Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, York, and Oxford counties. 

According to a recent MECDC report, Oxford County has had two cases of rabies since the beginning of the year — a skunk in Dixfield and a raccoon in Hartford.

"The speculation is that, because of the milder weather, the raccoons and skunks in particular are moving around more this winter than they have in more recent winters," said Matthew Holden, an Oxford Hills veterinarian. "They have more opportunity to come in contact with the virus, and get sick because of it."

Holden said Tuesday that he recently saw a porcupine in the road, which typically, you don't see in the middle of February. 

"That's just not typical," he said. "To me, it's an indication that there are more animals moving around more freely because of the warmer weather."

Last year, a total of eight rabies cases were confirmed in Oxford County, according to MECDC.

Rabid animals reported in 2011 include: a skunk in Buckfield, a bat in Rumford, a fox in Waterford, and raccoons in Denmark, Fryeburg, and Oxford.

Rabies spreads when infected animals bite or scratch another person or animal. The animals most common for carrying rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes, said Hoenig.

In order to prevent rabies from spreading, MECDC and MDA are advising people to be cautious around wild animals, keep pets close to home and to keep their pets' rabies vaccinations up to date.

"We really want to inform the public to stay away from wild animals," said Pinette, "because many of them do carry rabies. If they are stumbling around, or coming around to your door, you should probably call an animal control officer. We just ask that you vaccinate your pets and to make sure you stay away from wild animals."

For more information, contact your local animal control officer, or MECDC at 1-800-821-5821.