YORKTOWN, Va. – Attention, Yorktown residents!
The Peninsula Health District announced Friday that a raccoon found in the area of Winders Lane and Lakeside Drive has tested positive for rabies.
Health officials say the raccoon attacked a dog on private property.
Anyone who has information regarding any exposure to this animal – whether bite, scratch or any contact with saliva by open wound, eyes, nose or mouth – is asked to contact the Environmental Health Office of the Peninsula Health Department at (757) 594-7340. Exposures also include direct contact between your pet and the rabid animal.
After hours, you are asked to contact York County Animal Control at (757) 890-3601.
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-1980s.
The health department’s local office of environmental health services will also be contacting immediate neighbors as well as any civic or homeowner’s association that serves the community.
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The district is reminding people to follow these four 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 try to handle any wild or feral animals you may feel are sick or injured.
