Rabies
This is a disease in mammals caused by a virus and passed to a healthy animal or human by a rabid animal. 90% of rabies cases in humans reported to the Centers for Disease Control are caused by wild animals like bats, skunks or raccoons. Because of a very aggressive program in the past 40 years to vaccinate domestic animals, only 10% of cases are caused by pets or domestic animals like dogs, cats or cattle.
Rabies is easily prevented in animals with a vaccination, and can be successfully treated in humans when treatment begins right after exposure, before symptoms appear. Without treatment, it is always fatal.
If you or someone you know may have had direct physical contact with a rabid animal, call the Placer County Public Health Department, at 530-889-7141. Be sure to tell your children not to handle or play with dead animals.