Henry County, Tenn. animal control officials are warning residents to stay clear of raccoons after some of the animals were found infected with distemper.
The highly-contagious, fatal disease affects mainly raccoons, coyotes and skunks but can spread to dogs and cats that aren’t vaccinated against it.
From the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency,
many of the symptoms displayed by an animal with distemper are very similar to symptoms displayed by a rabid animal. Although distemper poses no threat to humans, anyone bitten or scratched by a raccoon must contact their physician immediately. Symptoms of the disease are similar in all susceptible species. The symptoms include distress, coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, discharge from eyes and/or nostrils, eyelids that are crusted over and stuck together, and hardened footpads. Infected animals may have convulsions, tremors and chewing fits. These animals may lose their fear of humans, become aggressive, appear blind, stumble and fall. Infected animals may exhibit stupor, paralysis, coma, and convulsions. An infected animal that is typically nocturnal may be observed in the daylight wandering aimlessly.
Paris-Henry County Animal Control Officer Phil Paschal says his department has come across more than a dozen infected raccoons in the last four weeks, including one close to a Paris Elementary School this week.
“So far just this month: eight, and most of them were sick," said Paschal. "We’re getting calls just about every day now, and I don’t think it’s close to running it’s course just yet.”
The disease makes the nocturnal animals disoriented causing them to wander in the daytime and lose their fear of humans. Paschal says residents should keep watch on small children and pets outside.
“Stay away from it," said Paschal. "They make contact with one, don’t try to handle it or pick it up. It’s a wild animal even though it’s sick. If you lay hands on it, they bite you and it’s a nasty bite because their teeth are razor sharp.”
Pet owners should be sure to keep their pet vaccinations up to date.
Paschal says Paris last saw a massive distemper outbreak ten years ago. He says the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has been notified of the recent cases.
No cases have yet been reported in Calloway County.
