Springtime is a time to shake off the effects of winter and get outdoors, put some seeds in the ground, mow the yard, get some exercise and explore a new trail. But it is good to know with whom you are sharing the great outdoors.
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TORRINGTON – Springtime is a time to shake off the effects of winter and get outdoors, put some seeds in the ground, mow the yard, get some exercise and explore a new trail. But it is good to know with whom you are sharing the great outdoors.
Spring is the start of rabies season in Wyoming. There have already been five confirmed cases of rabid skunks in Sheridan County. In 2014, 46 animal tested positive for rabies in Goshen County; 44 skunks, one cat and one fox. At the time, it was a very atypical year
for rabies.
“2014 was the first incident of this particular variation of rabies reported in Goshen County,” said Dr. Myrna Miller with the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab. “It turned out to be of a Nebraska lineage, which isn’t surprising.
“Skunks tend to follow along creeks and rivers, like the North Platte River, so it isn’t surprising the variant finally made its way into the state.”
The real surprise is what happened following 2014. In 2015 and 2016, not a single case of rabies was documented in the county. But Miller is quick to point out that doesn’t mean rabies have been eradicated in Goshen County.
“Rabies tends to be cyclical,” she explained. “High incident years tend to be followed by low incident years. Also, in 2015, there was some misunderstanding (between state agencies) and the sampling fell off the cliff.