Skunk-Associated Human Rabies

In the United States since 1960, skunks have become the most frequently reported rabid animal and the most common source of human rabies. Four of the eight domestically acquired human cases of rabies reported since 1963 were caused by skunk bites; two of these occurred in 1970. This article presents data on these two cases and reviews the problem of skunk-associated human rabies. The patients were bitten while trying to capture wild skunks or while sleeping on the ground in unprotected sleeping bags. Only one patient received the full recommended postexposure prophylaxis consisting of antirabies serum and 21 doses of duck-embryo vaccine. After clinical symptoms of rabies develop, there is at present no specific antirabies therapy. Aggressive conservative care concentrating on prevention of the complications of the viral infection may, however, result in recovery.