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December 12, 2007

R.I. records first case of rabies in a coyote

Rhode Island has its first recorded case of rabies found in a coyote, but an investigation has found "no human health exposure" to the animal.

The Department of Environmental Management got a report last weekend of the dead coyote on a Warwick private property. The state public health veterinarian, Scott Marshall, and Warwick animal control investigated, the DEM news release said.

The news release did not say on which property the coyote was found. A DEM spokeswoman said the DEM receives the information from the state Health Department, which releases information by community and does not specify address.

Coyotes are "not target species for rabies," the DEM said, but the disease has been found in coyotes on rare occasions. For instance, in 2005 rabies was found in one coyote in Massachusetts. Since 1991, four coyotes in Connecticut tested positive for rabies -- compared to 4,300 raccoons that tested for rabies in that state during that time.

Last week, before the dead coyote was found, Warwick's animal control department received a report of an incident involving two pet dogs and a coyote -- the coyote was seen limping away injured. However, the dog owner, after looking at photos of the dead coyote, said the coyote that confronted the dogs was a lighter color and not the same one tested for rabies.

The DEM advises the public to avoid encounters between their pets and wildlife and to avoid feeding outdoors if possible.

"The positive rabies finding serves as a reminder to all Rhode Islanders that rabies remains prevalent throughout the state and that residents should continue to undertake sensible precautions," DEM said. "Those include: vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, securing garbage, and not leaving pet food outside."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 3:26 PM | Permalink

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