WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1

    Default Possible rabies report in VA

    This is a message from a member of the local maintenance group in VA (PATH).
    Although it is not confirmed, I think folks should be informed in any case.



    Folks we have long known rabies to be endemic in Smyth and Bland Counties
    and I annually remind PATHiers to be aware of symptoms in wildlife and avoid
    exposure. Now, however there is a new twist. Past lab confirmed cases in the
    area have been in cattle (slightly unusual) and mostly in raccoons and
    skunks which along with foxes are common vectors.

    An elderly woman living near the Trail on VA42 was reportedly attacked and
    repeatedly bitten by a "rabid" groundhog in her residential yard, unable to
    ambulate well enough to escape harm. This is of interest because lagomorphs
    - rabbits, hares, groundhog, ferrets (I think, ask Amy) - are not generally
    thought to carry rabies. Groundhogs cannot open their jaws wide enough to
    take a real bite and are generally very shy and an attack by one is most odd.
    In recent years I have encountered lethargic groundhogs in two cemeteries
    near the Trail.

    I am attempting to determine if VA Health has been involved and
    particularly if lab confirmation is pending.

    Please consider rabies when sighting any wildlife exhibiting any strange
    behavior, but especially either lethargy or aggressive boldness and
    excitability.

  2. #2
    section hiker sly dog's Avatar
    Join Date
    07-11-2006
    Location
    Wilkes Barre PA
    Age
    49
    Posts
    407
    Images
    21

    Default

    When I was hiking VA in the 1st week of June a rabid skunk ran up to a hiker and bit him just before bears den. The hostel caretaker drove him to the hospital for the start of the shots but being a thru hiker he will need shots for several more states. When i got to bears den the caretaker told me the story. Apparently the skunk tried getting into several tents then did get in one, sprayed everything! After they packed up the skunk followed them and then thats when it bit the hiker....sorry, cant remember his trail name. Someone did kill the rabid skunk with a large stick.
    "I drank what?" Socrates

  3. #3
    Registered User World-Wide's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-02-2009
    Location
    Macon, Georgia
    Posts
    414
    Images
    15

    Default

    Don't forget about the chipmunks either!! W-W


  4. #4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by World-Wide View Post
    Don't forget about the chipmunks either!! W-W

    Isn't that a squirrel?

  5. #5
    Registered User World-Wide's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-02-2009
    Location
    Macon, Georgia
    Posts
    414
    Images
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by greginmi View Post
    Isn't that a squirrel?
    The website said it was a chipmunk?? I actually thought it was a groundhog when I first saw it!! W-W

  6. #6

    Default

    Well, in any case, the groundhog is confirmed rabid. Maybe we can contract the squirrel/chipmunk to take him out.....

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sherrill View Post
    Well, in any case, the groundhog is confirmed rabid. Maybe we can contract the squirrel/chipmunk to take him out.....
    there's only one person you'd call to take care of a gopher problem...

    http://internetservices.readingeagle...Caddyshack.jpg

  8. #8
    Registered User World-Wide's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-02-2009
    Location
    Macon, Georgia
    Posts
    414
    Images
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sherrill View Post
    Well, in any case, the groundhog is confirmed rabid. Maybe we can contract the squirrel/chipmunk to take him out.....
    LMAO.........World-Wide!!

  9. #9
    Registered User World-Wide's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-02-2009
    Location
    Macon, Georgia
    Posts
    414
    Images
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by saimyoji View Post
    there's only one person you'd call to take care of a gopher problem...

    http://internetservices.readingeagle...Caddyshack.jpg
    Even better!! World-Wide

++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •