How common is rabies in Colorado?
Rabies is found mainly in wild animals in the U.S., such as bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons. The most likely animals to spread rabies in Colorado are bats and skunks. Rodents such as rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and squirrels are not likely to be infected with rabies. Bats are the primary animal host for rabies in most of the U.S. Healthy bats that are seen flying at dawn or dusk pose little to no risk for the public, and it is estimated that less than 1% of healthy bats carry rabies. However, if a bat is found down on the ground, unable to fly, the bat is sick and the chance of rabies infection in the bat is increased. In Colorado, from 2005 through 2009, 13.7% of the bats tested for rabies were positive. Rabies in skunks has recently spread from eastern Colorado toward certain counties in the Front Range, which increases the chance of rabies infection of other wild animals such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and other carnivores. In 2009, 2 foxes and a mountain lion tested positi
