The raccoon was found after it fought a dog and tested positive for rabies, Virginia health officials said.
SUFFOLK, Va. — Virginia health officials are reminding people to have their pets vaccinated after a raccoon tested positive for rabies in Suffolk.
The test results come after the raccoon fought with a dog in the Azalea Acres area of Suffolk.
According to the Western Tidewater Health District, the dog was vaccinated and will receive a booster. The dog is under a 45-day observation period.
Health officials said human exposure to rabies happens when the saliva of an infected animal enters the body through an open wound or mucous membrane, such as an animal bite.
“An animal exposure can be a serious medical event, for which prompt evaluation and complete treatment is critical,” Western Tidewater Health District wrote in a news release. “Rabies is highly preventable if vaccine is given early and as recommended. Unfortunately, without preventive treatment, by the time someone develops symptoms of rabies, there is no cure, and the disease is fatal in almost 100% of cases.”
To protect people and pets from rabies, Angela Tillery, the health director for the Western Tidewater Health District, shared several recommendations:
- Reach out to the Isle of Wight Animal Control at 757-365-6318 or the Isle of Wight Health Department at 757-279-3078 if a pet has been in contact with a rabid animal.
- Quickly seek medical treatment for any animal bite.
- Don't approach wild or stray animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, cats and dogs.
- Make sure that all pet dogs, cats and ferrets have rabies vaccinations that are current.
- Confine pets to property.
- Make sure that garbage containers are secured with lids.
