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Rabies testing required?

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From: Hannah Goldstein
City:
Batavia, IL
Are there any requirements that captured wildlife be tested for rabies? I see at the IDPH website that the number of positive tests for rabies is quite low for skunks and racoons in the last decade, but I haven't seen any rules that testing is required.

 
Extension Message
From: Laura Kammin
Visiting Extension Specialist, Pollution Prevention
Extension-Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program
lkammin@illinois.edu
There are two scenarios for rabies testing. First, if a wild animal bit someone testing should be done. This is particularly true if the bite was not provoked (i.e., the animal was not cornered or threatened). The second scenario would be if an animal is acting extremely strange, (i.e., unwilling to run off and acting aggressive toward people or pets). But keep in mind that just because a typically nocturnal animal is active during the day does not imply it is sick, it may just be hungry or thirsty or disturbed by some activity (e.g., cutting a tree down or nearby construction which may have displaced it). Let me know if you have more questions.

 
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