RIO, Wis. (WKOW) -- Nearly a dozen raccoons were killed in Columbia County by an outbreak of an extremely deadly disease.
Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources say they're seeing an uptick in canine distemper cases in the village of Rio.
The disease impacts animals like dogs, raccoons, coyotes, skunks and more.
Canine distemper can be fatal to dogs especially when they are not vaccinated against it.
Nancy Businga, a wildlife disease specialist with the Wisconsin DNR, said most animals infected with the disease will not survive.
"Canine distemper is a viral disease and it's highly contagious among raccoons and other mustelids," Businga explained.
Mustelids are carnivorous mammals like weasels, badgers and raccoons.
Businga said the DNR noticed the spike in cases a few weeks ago and did testing to confirm their theory.
The DNR's website lists the following symptoms:
- Lethargy and showing no fear of humans and wander aimlessly
- Respiratory signs and discharge from the eyes
- Nervous system signs, such as convulsions and chewing fits
Signs of canine distemper are similar to those of rabies, making it difficult to tell which disease it is without testing.
However, Businga said the disease is hard to spot and symptoms aren't clear.
"The symptoms for canine distemper are very general so you're not going to look at a raccoon and be able to say 'that raccoon has distemper,'" she said. "Generally, what the public are reporting are raccoons that are not responsive and they just won't respond like a normal raccoon would when when people see them."
DNR officials say the virus is highly contagious and is easily spread through respiratory secretions, urine, saliva and feces.
Animals that have recovered from the virus can continue to shed it into the environment.
However, Businga said the virus doesn't live long outside of the animal and it's destroyed by most soaps and disinfectants, including bleach.
There isn't anything the DNR can do to cure the raccoons or help them. Businga said nature just needs to run its course.
In the meantime, Businga told 27 News it's important that people avoid attracting raccoons to their home while cases are high.
"Don't do anything that's encouraging raccoons to come to your property," she said. "Try not to have pet food outside, try to keep your garbage contained, just all those things that would would attract a wild animal, whether it's healthy or not."
In the meantime, she said dog owners should talk with their pet's veterinarian regarding vaccination.
More at WKOW 27 News