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BEAUTIFUL CITY • Six raccoons have been euthanized in Belleville since September 1st after showing signs of the distemper virus that can make them aggressive but do not infect people.
The Belleville Police Department issued a notice Thursday asking residents to avoid raccoons and monitor the signs of lethargy in animals if they were spotted.
Distemper is a canine virus that poses no risk to human health but can infect unvaccinated dogs. It initially affects the respiratory system before causing neurological damage. Infected raccoons or skunks are generally disoriented and can approach people or fall asleep in open areas. If they are cornered, they can become aggressive. The disease is usually fatal.
In September 2017, Saint-Louis issued an alert regarding an apparent outbreak of distemper among raccoons in the city. In 2016, an outbreak of Parkinson's disease killed 43 dogs in the Stray Rescue Animal Shelter.
The disease can be transmitted between wild animals and unvaccinated dogs.
If you notice a sick raccoon or other wild animal, contact the local health department. Health officials also offer these tips:
- Do not keep raccoons as pets.
- Do not leave food outside for wild animals or pets.
- Keep lids on garbage cans.
- Keep bird feeders inaccessible to raccoons.
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