Skunk Tests Positive for Rabies in Oakland County After Biting Resident

• Oakland County Health Division urges residents to take all wild animal contact seriously, seek prompt medical treatment for any animal bite, and ensure household pets are up to date on rabies vaccines.
• Beginning April 10 at the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center, rabies vaccines for dogs are free from 9 a.m. - noon on Fridays with the purchase of a dog license.
• For more information about rabies, visit oakgov.com/health or call the Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848-5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

April 2, 2026, Pontiac, Mich. - Oakland County Health Division is alerting the public that a skunk has tested positive for rabies after biting a county resident. Oakland County Health Officer Kate Guzmán urges residents to take all wild animal contact seriously, seek prompt medical treatment for any animal bite and ensure household pets are up to date on rabies vaccines.

The Health Division is providing prophylactic treatment to the resident who was bitten by the skunk in Oakland County on March 27. The skunk was captured for testing, and rabies results returned positive on March 31. The exposed resident immediately started treatment.

"This rabies case serves as a reminder to all residents that if a person or a pet is exposed to any wild or unknown animal, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water, then seek medical or veterinary attention immediately," Guzmán said. "We recommend avoiding contact with wild or stray animals."

Rabies can be fatal but is preventable. It is a virus that is spread to people and animals through bites and scratches of an infected animal. Rabies virus affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before the onset of symptoms.

While the disease is rare in humans, there is still a risk of infection from a rabid animal. Skunks and bats are the most likely to carry rabies in Michigan. Individuals who may have been exposed to rabies should urgently seek medical attention. Post-exposure prophylaxis (preventive treatment after a bite or scratch) consists of wound care, human rabies immune globulin and a series of four to five vaccines.

Follow these simple steps to protect yourself from rabies:

• Have pets vaccinated regularly. This will protect them if exposed to animals with the disease and prevent them from becoming ill and infecting humans.
• Do not handle stray, wild, or dead animals.
• Keep pets indoors, supervise when outside, and always use a leash when walking to limit their exposure to wild animals that may be rabid.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
• Do not leave food or water outside for pets when unattended.
• Keep garbage cans securely covered, as contents may attract wild or stray animals.

Beginning April 10 at the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center, rabies vaccines for dogs are free from 9 a.m. - noon on Fridays with the purchase of a dog license. For more information, go to oakgov.com/petadoption and click on the dog license tab.

For more information about rabies, visit oakgov.com/health or call the Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848- 5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook, X and Instagram.

For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County public information officer, at (248) 202-9668.