UTICA — Officials at the Oneida County Health Department are urging residents to recognize the signs of rabies and keep their distance from wild animals following a report on Monday that a skunk has tested positive for rabies in Forestport.

The skunk was sent to the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center for testing on Wednesday, Oct. 26, and positive results were reported on Thursday, Oct. 27.

One person was exposed to the skunk and received post exposure prophylaxis.      

Signs of rabies include: Animal acting strangely; animal acting mad; animal acting shy; animal getting unusually close; and drooling or foaming from the mouth. If you see an animal, wild or stray, with these signs, do not approach it and stay away, the county health officials said. If any animal is acting strangely, call your local animal control officer for help.

For the safety of pets and the convenience of county residents, the Oneida County Health Department offers rabies vaccination clinics throughout the year in various community locations.     

Health Department Officials offer the following vaccination recommendations:

All cats, dogs and ferrets three months or older must have a current rabies vaccination, even if they stay indoors;

Dogs and cats must receive a rabies vaccination at three months-old, one year-old and then once every three years.

For more information on rabies prevention, call the health department at 315-798-5064.

People can also log onto its website at https://www.ocgov.net//oneida/envhealth/MosquitoesTicksRabies.