ROCKY HILL - Residents are advised to watch for unusual behavior in wild animals and pets after two rabid skunks were captured in residential areas this week.

       According to the Central Connecticut Health District (CCTHD), three people were required to undergo post-exposure treatment after encountering the skunks, which were captured in Rocky Hill and Berlin, as rabies can be deadly in humans.

       â€�"The most common mode of transmission of the rabies virus to people is through the bite of an infected animal. Handling a rabid animal, or coming into contact with its blood, urine or feces, does not result in transmission of the disease,” according to CCTHD. â€�"Any infected material from the rabid animal would generally become non-infectious when it is exposed to the sunlight and dries out.”

       Residents are advised to contact their local animal control officer if they notice any animal exhibiting unusual behavior. Signs of possible rabies infections in both wild and domesticated animals include shyness of a normal friendly pet; fearlessness of humans in wild animals; uncharacteristic excitability, aggressiveness or restlessness; sudden mood changes; excessive drooling; abnormal activity during the time of day the animal is usually inactive; eating substances that are not normally eaten; and paralysis.

       If a person is bitten by a wild animal, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. For more information on rabies in humans and animals, contact the Center for Disease Control at 1-800-232-4636 or visit www.cdc.gov/rabies or contact the Central Connecticut Health District at 860-721-2822 or visit www.cdc.gov/rabies .