BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) — A state wildlife biologist says there's been an outbreak of distemper among raccoons and gray foxes in Raleigh County.
Todd Dowdy with the Division of Natural Resources advises residents to avoid contact with animals that show signs of infection.
These signs include unprovoked aggression, unusual friendliness, disorientation or paralysis.
Dowdy tells The Register-Herald (http://bit.ly/S4LkNX ) that many of distemper's symptoms are the same as those of rabies.
He says the DNR has received numerous calls in the last few months reporting rabid animals. Most of the cases were actually distemper.
___
Information from: The Register-Herald, http://www.register-herald.com
©2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
