What Diseases do Skunks Carry?

Skunks which Become Rabid
Studies show that skunk diseases are not common but acquiring rabies is the real risk since these nocturnal animals can get rabid.

Signs that Skunks Are Becoming Rabid
• Possesses a weird behavior.
• Becomes ill during the daytime.

Zoonoses
“Zoonoses” are those illnesses transferred by animals to humans ad according to some research conducted; there are approximately 40 known diseases that can be transmitted to us humans when we come in contact directly to those animals. But a small percentage of these diseases are actually transferred by skunks. Skunk wastes on the other hand can be causes of various risky diseases.

Diseases Carried By Skunks
• Improper disposal of dead animals – Dead skunks must be disposed of properly for they can be carriers of some illnesses which can airborne and can spread easily.
• Leptospirosis – Considered as a not so common bacterial infection transmitted by skunks, foxes, and other vermin. It is also known as “mud fever”.
• Intestinal round worm – Baylisascaris columnaris. This is similar to B. procyonis and B. Columnaris are existent in the bodies of farm skunks. They are known to possess high resistance to decontamination methods. It can cause terrible itching and serious conditions such as loss of vision, neurological illnesses, and even sudden death.
• Listeriosis – This can cause paralysis and swelling of the brain.
• Hepatitis – This one is caused by a virus which can also be carried by skunk feces and causes liver diseases and other illnesses of organs of the body such as the kidney and lungs, among others.

Hydrophobia Not Always Carried By All Skunks
Rabies which is also called hydrophobia is not actually carried by all skunks. In order to carry rabies, the skunk must be infected with it first and foremost. They can get rabies when another animal infected with a virus bites them.

Symptoms of a Rabid Skunk
• Poor appetite.
• Disoriented.
• Poor muscle control or paralysis.
• Drooling or “foaming at the mouth”.

Rabies is transmitted through the saliva infecting other animals once they are bitten with another animal carrying a virus.

Skunk Feces
Skunk feces may carry a multitude of dangerous bacteria and viruses which are leading causes of diseases. Skunk wastes can have numerous internal parasites such as different kinds of worms commonly, the round worm which can be transferred to humans and animals alike. Round worms or tape worms lay eggs inside the skunk’s intestines.