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The Isle of Wight Health Department received information Wednesday, Sept. 25, that a raccoon found within the county tested positive for rabies. 

A Virginia Department of Health news release noted that the raccoon was killed by a dog. Fortunately, the dog was vaccinated against rabies. The dog will receive a booster vaccination and will be under a 45-day observation period. 

The incident happened in the Days Point Road area of Isle of Wight.

Exposure of humans to rabies occurs when the saliva of an infected animal enters the body through an open wound or mucous membrane, such as with an animal bite. 

An animal exposure can be a serious medical event, for which prompt evaluation and complete treatment is critical. Rabies is highly preventable if the 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. 

The disease is also fatal in infected domestic dogs and cats that have not been vaccinated.

Western Tidewater Health District Health Director Angela Tillery strongly emphasized the following recommendations for Isle of Wight residents to take in protecting their families and their pets from rabies:

• If your pet has been in contact with an animal that might be rabid, contact Isle of Wight Animal Control at 757-365-6318 or the Isle of Wight Health Department at 757-279-3078.
• Seek medical treatment promptly for any animal bite to ensure appropriate and timely evaluation and treatment. All animal exposures must be taken seriously.
• Do not approach wild or stray animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, cats and dogs.
• Ensure all pet dogs, cats and ferrets have current rabies vaccinations. Consult your veterinarian, Isle of Wight Animal Control or the Isle of Wight Health Department if you have any questions about pet vaccinations.
• Confine your pets to your property.
• Securely seal garbage containers with lids.

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 Isle of Wight Health Department at 757-279-3078, Isle of Wight Animal Control at 757-365-6318, or visit the Virginia Department of Health’s webpage on rabies, www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/rabies/, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage on rabies, www.cdc.gov/rabies/.