Distemper outbreak reported among raccoons

SALEM – Canine distemper, a virus fatal to raccoons, is striking the masked critters in parts of Salem and threatening other animals, wild and domestic, as well.

Humans are not affected.

Melanie Smith, a raccoon rehabilitator with the Salem Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, has received 23 calls since mid-January and has had to euthanize about 20 raccoons, since they cannot be cured.

Symptoms often include a pus-like discharge from the eyes and nose and a dehydrated or starved look.

A neurological form of the disease creates paralysis and seizures, said Dr. Janette Ackermann, a veterinarian with the American Wildlife Foundation in Molalla, Ore.

She said the virus is being passed to dogs, mainly strays. Vaccinated dogs are immune.