Early this afternoon staff at the Fletcher Allen Emergency Department (ED) contacted Burlington Police. Staff advised that a man had presented at the ED on September 26, 2014 reporting that a skunk had bitten him while in a wooded area of Burlington. The man was able to kill the skunk and it was later brought to the Vermont Health Department for rabies testing. The man declined treatment at the time.
The skunk was tested by the Health Department and found to be rabid. A search for the man, who was reportedly homeless, ensued and police located him a short time later. The man was transported to the ED again for treatment. His name is being withheld as this is a medical event and contains information about his medical history.
Information about the incident is being released as a public safety advisory to residents. Rabies has been present in Vermont since the early 1990s. Rabies cannot be overtly detected by looking at an animal. Wild animals should be avoided and not approached while domestic animals should be vaccinated. Vaccinations and registration are required for all dogs in the City.
For more information please visit the Health Department informational site at http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/rabies/Rabies.aspx
