Poquoson, Va. – A rabid raccoon bit someone in Poquoson in the Carmines subdivision of the city, according to the Hampton Health Department.
The raccoon was submitted to the State Laboratory in Richmond and tested positive for rabies.
The victim is being treated.
Rabies is a fatal, but preventable, disease that is carried by mammals and has been in the wild animal population on the Peninsula since the mid 1980’s.
Health officials would like to remind everyone to follow these important rabies prevention guidelines:
- Vaccinate your pets.
- Report all exposures to animals (usually bites and scratches) to your doctor and the local health department.
- Enjoy wildlife from a distance – don’t feed or encourage wild animals such as raccoons, skunks or foxes to visit your premises.
- Do not feed your pets outside, leave trash uncovered, or do anything that may attract wild animals to your property.
- If you see a sickly animal, call your local city animal control office.
For more information about rabies, call your local health department or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.
