COLD SPRING – An unidentified individual delivered a baby skunk to a Cold Spring animal rehabilitator sometime around October 25 and Putnam County Health officials want to talk to that person.

The skunk has tested positive for rabies. The health department wants to discuss potential exposure and need for rabies treatment with this individual. 

Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system. Rabies virus is found in the saliva and nervous tissue of a sick animal. It is most often seen in wildlife such as skunks, bats, raccoons, and foxes. Cats, dogs, and ferrets can also get rabies if they are not vaccinated. 

A person can get rabies if a rabid animal bites him or her or its saliva or nervous tissue gets into their eyes, nose, mouth or any open wound. 

If an individual is exposed to rabies, the disease can be prevented with prompt treatment.  Otherwise, it is always fatal.

Contact the Putnam County Department of Health at 845-278-6130 immediately if you were the individual who brought the skunk to the rehabilitator or if you have any information regarding the incident.