ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – A dead skunk was found with an unvaccinated dog and puppy in East Berlin on November 1 and the skunk was then transported to the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory (PADLS) for examination.

During testing, the PADLS confirmed the skunk had rabies and determined the affected area was between Pondtown Road and Lake Meade Road in Latimore Township.

Rabies can infect humans and other mammals and can be transmitted through a bite or scratch from an infected animal.

If you think you or someone you know is infected with rabies, contact your doctor or the rabies hotline at 877-PA Health.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculturee, there are the following ways to prevent rabies:

• Vaccination of pets against rabies is very effective. Vaccination is recommended for all animal species for which there is an approved rabies vaccine. (Discuss vaccination of animal species for which there is no approved rabies vaccine with your veterinarian.)
• Pennsylvania law requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies within 4 weeks of the dog or cat reaching 12 weeks of age and maintain current rabies immunity as required by rabies vaccine manufacturers.
• Do not handle wild animals.