Police in North Carolina are alerting the public of an uptick in sick raccoons in the area, which they say can affect a variety of mammals, as confirmed cases of distemper have appeared in Dare County.
According to the Nags Head Police Department, multiple phone calls over the past few weeks have alerted police about the issue, prompting an investigation with state wildlife officials, they said in a Nov. 4 post on Facebook.
“In the last few weeks we have had a higher call volume for sick raccoons in the area. We have been in contact with a biologist with NC Wildlife Resources Commission regarding this matter,” they said.
Canine distemper, a disease that affects various species of wildlife including foxes, coyotes, skunks, as well as unvaccinated dogs, has been found as the culprit behind the recent illnesses, police said. They emphasized that while the disease poses a threat to animals, it doesn’t affect humans.
They noted that distemper outbreaks tend to occur cyclically, typically every five to seven years, and are more prevalent among large or concentrated raccoon populations. Not all raccoons get the disease and many of them survive the outbreaks.
According to the announcement, the virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or droppings from animals that have been infected. To protect pets, especially dogs, police advise residents to ensure their animals’ vaccinations are up to date.
Residents are asked to check for signs of distemper in raccoons in their neighborhoods, which include:
- Discharge from the nose and eyes
- A rough coat of hair
- Emaciated appearance
- Unusual behavior such as disorientation or aimless wandering
They also recommend not to approach the animals, which may appear docile at first but can turn aggressive.
“Keep children and pets away from sick raccoons. As the disease progresses, the animal may appear calm, but can become aggressive if approached too closely,” the police department warns.
To deter raccoons from visiting residential areas, several preventive measures include:
- Feed pets indoors or remove outdoor feeding bowls after they are used.
- Securing garbage cans so they don’t tip over.
- Storing garbage cans in closed garages or sheds when possible.
- Ensure garbage piles with fruit and vegetable scraps are properly covered.
If a raccoon happens to die on private property, police recommend residents bury the animal deeply to prevent pets from digging it up.
While residents should be on high alert, they are also reminded that not all raccoon sightings indicate illness.
“Be aware just because there is a sighting of a raccoon doesn’t mean the animal is sick,” the police department wrote.
They also strongly discourage residents from feeding raccoons, which can lead to overconcentration.
“Providing artificial food sources may lead to unnaturally large concentrations of animals and increase the spread of disease,” they said.
For more information or to report sick raccoons, Nags Head residents can contact the local police department, or access resources and assistance from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission through their website or by phone at 866-318-2401.