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EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — More than just the awful smell may keep Vail residents away from skunks this summer.
There have been six confirmed cases of skunk rabies, an unusually high number, in Colorado this year, all east of I-25, said John Pope, epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Bat rabies is more common in Colorado, but skunks are worrisome because their larger size allows them to transmit rabies more easily than bats, Pope said.
“When you see skunk rabies, risk of infected dogs, cats and cows goes up substantially,” Pope said.
Pope recommended that house pets be vaccinated for rabies.
“Our concern is not so much people are going to be exposed to skunks, because most people don’t try to approach them, but dogs and cats get exposed to them and expose humans,” Pope said.
Eagle County Director of Animal Services Natalie Duck said she has seen one case of rabies — a bat — in her three years of work here.
"We get more contact with bats than anything else out here,” Duck said. “Bats act erratic anyway but a bat that exhibits strange behavior is concerning.”
Duck said signs of rabies in animals include disorientation, lethargy, salivating and aggression. She said to watch for any wild animal that is unusually friendly, and any other abnormal behavior, such as a skunk walking around during the day or a bat that is unable to fly.
Duck recommended that people keep pet food inside and make sure their pets’ rabies vaccinations are up-to-date. The rabies vaccination, which is required to license dogs in Eagle County, costs around $20 and must be renewed every three years.
If you have come in contact with a wild animal you think is infected, Duck said it is a good idea to keep track of the animal.
“If someone does get in contact and you can keep track of where the animal is that is really good. But at the same time I don’t want anyone trying to put a leash on a skunk,” she said.
Anyone concerned about possible contact with an infected animal should call their doctor immediately, Duck said, and anyone concerned about the health of an animal should call Animal Services at 970-328-3647.
Free concerts, movies on Fridays in Gypsum
GYPSUM — Friday night will be the optimum time to visit Gypsum this summer.
The town has moved its popular outdoor concert/movie program to Fridays beginning June 20.
“Grab your blankets and lawnchairs and bring the family and friends,” says Dawn Murphy, event coordinator for Gypsum.
Murphy said The People’s Friday series is planned as free, family-friendly fun. “Pack a picnic and come on down. It’s a party in the park.”
The action begins June 20 at 6:30 p.m. with a performance from The Johnny O’Band featuring blues, rock, funk and soul. Following the concert, the movie “Hairspray” will be shown.
All movie showings will begin at dusk.
The Friday night schedule will continue on throughout the summer featuring:
• June 27 — 6:30 p.m. The Billy Pilgrims: bluegrass and old-school honky tonk. Movie showing is “Surf’s Up.”
• July 11 — 6:30 p.m. Whitewater Ramble: Rocky Mountain DanceGrass. Movie showing is “The Wizard of Oz.”
• July 18 — 5:30 p.m. Porchlight Players performance followed by a talent show at 7 p.m. Movie showing is “Superman.”
• July 25 — 6:30 p.m. Feast: instrumental Celtic. Movie is “Field of Dreams.”
• Aug. 1 — 6 p.m. Lipbone Redding and the Lipbone Orchestra: jazz, blues and soul. Movie is “The Water Horse.”
• Aug. 8 — 6 p.m. Conjunto Colores: salsa and Latin jazz. No movie.
• Aug. 15 — 6 p.m. Spring Creek: bluegrass. Movie is “Shrek the Third.”
There have been six confirmed cases of skunk rabies, an unusually high number, in Colorado this year, all east of I-25, said John Pope, epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Bat rabies is more common in Colorado, but skunks are worrisome because their larger size allows them to transmit rabies more easily than bats, Pope said.
“When you see skunk rabies, risk of infected dogs, cats and cows goes up substantially,” Pope said.
Pope recommended that house pets be vaccinated for rabies.
“Our concern is not so much people are going to be exposed to skunks, because most people don’t try to approach them, but dogs and cats get exposed to them and expose humans,” Pope said.
Eagle County Director of Animal Services Natalie Duck said she has seen one case of rabies — a bat — in her three years of work here.
"We get more contact with bats than anything else out here,” Duck said. “Bats act erratic anyway but a bat that exhibits strange behavior is concerning.”
Duck said signs of rabies in animals include disorientation, lethargy, salivating and aggression. She said to watch for any wild animal that is unusually friendly, and any other abnormal behavior, such as a skunk walking around during the day or a bat that is unable to fly.
Duck recommended that people keep pet food inside and make sure their pets’ rabies vaccinations are up-to-date. The rabies vaccination, which is required to license dogs in Eagle County, costs around $20 and must be renewed every three years.
If you have come in contact with a wild animal you think is infected, Duck said it is a good idea to keep track of the animal.
“If someone does get in contact and you can keep track of where the animal is that is really good. But at the same time I don’t want anyone trying to put a leash on a skunk,” she said.
Anyone concerned about possible contact with an infected animal should call their doctor immediately, Duck said, and anyone concerned about the health of an animal should call Animal Services at 970-328-3647.
Free concerts, movies on Fridays in Gypsum
GYPSUM — Friday night will be the optimum time to visit Gypsum this summer.
The town has moved its popular outdoor concert/movie program to Fridays beginning June 20.
“Grab your blankets and lawnchairs and bring the family and friends,” says Dawn Murphy, event coordinator for Gypsum.
Murphy said The People’s Friday series is planned as free, family-friendly fun. “Pack a picnic and come on down. It’s a party in the park.”
The action begins June 20 at 6:30 p.m. with a performance from The Johnny O’Band featuring blues, rock, funk and soul. Following the concert, the movie “Hairspray” will be shown.
All movie showings will begin at dusk.
The Friday night schedule will continue on throughout the summer featuring:
• June 27 — 6:30 p.m. The Billy Pilgrims: bluegrass and old-school honky tonk. Movie showing is “Surf’s Up.”
• July 11 — 6:30 p.m. Whitewater Ramble: Rocky Mountain DanceGrass. Movie showing is “The Wizard of Oz.”
• July 18 — 5:30 p.m. Porchlight Players performance followed by a talent show at 7 p.m. Movie showing is “Superman.”
• July 25 — 6:30 p.m. Feast: instrumental Celtic. Movie is “Field of Dreams.”
• Aug. 1 — 6 p.m. Lipbone Redding and the Lipbone Orchestra: jazz, blues and soul. Movie is “The Water Horse.”
• Aug. 8 — 6 p.m. Conjunto Colores: salsa and Latin jazz. No movie.
• Aug. 15 — 6 p.m. Spring Creek: bluegrass. Movie is “Shrek the Third.”
