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What is unusual is that the strain appears to have mutated so that foxes and skunks are now able to pass the virus on to their kin—not just through biting and scratching but through simple socializing, as humans might spread a flu.

I don't find this unusual. About ten years ago, my brother in Upstate NY got cornered by a rabid skunk just outside his back porch. He ducked back inside, grabbed a handgun and went back outside to get rid of the varmint. The skunk went after him even while he was firing and finally after 4 or 5 shots (which none of us will ever let him live down) he got the skunk.

Neighbors had called the State Troopers when they heard the shots and when the Trooper showed up and learned the situation called the local Health Dept's Animal Disposal unit. They donned masks, aprons and gloves, bagged the skunk and told my brother to go to the doctor for rabies shots. He told them he didn't get bitten; they told him it didn't matter, he was in close proximity to the animal for several minutes and could be infected from dander, hairs or saliva during the scuffle.

Any comments on this, vetvetdoug?

That is unusual for a non contact/proximity contact to be considered an exposure and told to get the rabies vaccinations. Exposure is defined as contact with saliva or blood of an infected animal. Now if the skunk was blown to smithereens and blood, saliva and hair everywhere it may have been warranted. My first exposure to a rabid animal occurred when I took the head off a dog. I was wearing a mask and gloves but didn't wish to take a chance on being accidentally contaminated. One cannot be too careful or proactive when it comes to rabies.