The first case of rabies in Arlington since the early 1980s was confirmed Wednesday. The Rabies Laboratory of the Texas Department of Health in Austin has confirmed that a skunk from a southeast Arlington neighborhood has tested positive for rabies. Health officials say the skunk was bit and killed by a dog near the Mansfield city limits in the area of Stephie Ann Court on Saturday, Aug. 11. The skunk was immediately delivered to Arlington Animal Services for shipping and testing.

According to Animal Services Supervisor Mike Bass, the exposed dog did not have current rabies vaccinations. Since its arrival at Animal Services, the dog has been given a series of rabies vaccinations and will be isolated and observed for 90 days.

City Health officials will spend the next few days canvassing the neighborhood with information materials about rabies, Bass said. During 2000, Texas laboratories confirmed more skunks with rabies than during each of the previous 15 years. North Texas continues to record the largest increase in confirmed rabies positive skunks, according to information obtained from the Texas Department of Health in Austin.

Rabies is a deadly viral illness. People become infected with the rabies virus if they are bitten by an animal that has the disease.

Arlington Animal Services advises the public to avoid contact with wild animals and call your local animal control officer if you observe a skunk, raccoon or bat that is active during the day or any animal that appears sick, fearless or aggressive.