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Rabid raccoon found in Chesapeake neighborhood

The raccoon was found by a dog in the backyard of a home in the Upton Farms/Coventry neighborhood of Great Bridge East on January 22.
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
File photo of a raccoon

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Virginia health officials are alerting residents in Chesapeake about a raccoon that has tested positive for the rabies virus.

The raccoon was found by a dog in the backyard of a home in the Upton Farms/Coventry neighborhood of Great Bridge East on January 22.

If you or your pet may have been in contact with an animal that might be rabid, call Chesapeake Animal Control at 757-382-8080. You should seek treatment promptly for any animal bite to ensure appropriate and timely evaluation and treatment.

Rabies can be fatal, but it is preventable. It's a disease carried by mammals mainly in the saliva and brain and can be transmitted through a bite or saliva or brain tissue in a wound, eyes, nose, or mouth.

Important rabies prevention tips are:

  • Vaccinate your pets.
  • Report all exposures to animals, typically bites or scratches, to your doctor and local health department.
  • Enjoy wildlife from a distance, don't feed wild animals like raccoons, skunks or foxes or encourage them to visit your property with food.
  • Do not feed any family pets outside, leave trash uncovered, or handle any wild or feral animals that look sick or injured.

State law requires all dogs and cats over the age of four months to be vaccinated against rabies. For more information on rabies, contact the Chesapeake Health Department at 757-382-8672 or Animal Control at 757-382-8080 or log onto the Virginia Department of Health’s website or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

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