The tempera virus can cause raccoons to behave like zombies and be lethal to dogs, and Chicago area officials have repeatedly warned residents of the area that cases have been detected in the area. region. (Photo: AP)

The distemper virus can make raccoons behave like zombies and be deadly to dogs. Chicago area officials have repeatedly warned locals that cases have been identified in the area.

Police have recently received several reports of "zombie raccoons", and sick animals are a persistent problem near Chicago, according to police reports. Chicago Tribune and ABC7 Chicago.

In December, the Cook County Animal Control and Rabies Department warned residents of the increase in the number of raccoons carrying the virus and presenting with "abnormal neurological signs". Pet owners should vaccinate their dogs against the disease, warns the warning.

After Ohio raccoons were reported to tempera in Ohio last year, local authorities looked at the common description of sick animals:

"The" zombie raccoons "have recently made the headlines, and locals are wondering what it means.Unfortunately, the nickname refers to raccoons that may look like zombies because of a viral disease called Sickness, "published an article from the city of Dublin, Ohio, reads.

The city said the symptoms of heart disease in raccoons include:

  • Walk around and be confused and / or approach people or pets
  • Stagnate or fall while walking
  • Showing their teeth
  • Have "bright" eyes

The eyes of diseased raccoons may appear to shine and have an "extremely greenish" hue due to abnormal mineral deposits associated with the disease, the city said.

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Although humans can not catch the distemper, they can accidentally transfer it to their dogs, says an information sheet from a Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Society. The disease is highly contagious and can be spread by a variety of methods, including inhalation and contact with raccoon stool.

The disease is distinct from the chronic debilitating disease – unofficially nicknamed "zombie" by the deer – which made headlines during its spread in dozens of states this year.

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