Health officials confirm rabies in skunk in suburban Detroit

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (AP) - A skunk found in suburban Detroit has been confirmed to have rabies.

Oakland County health officials say Friday that the skunk was removed from a location in Rochester Hills, north of Detroit.

Health officer Leigh-Anne Stafford said in a release that rabies most often is found in bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. The rabies virus is found in the saliva of infected animals and is spread through bites or scratches.

Symptoms in animals include general sickness, swallowing problems and excessive drooling, slow and unusual movement, no apparent fear of humans and aggression.

Officials say rabies can become fatal in humans after symptoms begin to occur. Deaths can be prevented with a vaccine administered immediately after exposure.