Raccoon in Georgetown Tests Positive for Rabies
Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | Date Posted: Friday, December 10, 2021
Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | Date Posted: Friday, December 10, 2021
DOVER (Dec. 10, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising Georgetown residents who live or spend time in the vicinity of West Robbins Road and South Old State Road of a positive case of rabies in a raccoon that potentially exposed two dogs to the virus recently. The raccoon was tested for rabies and the results were positive. There is currently no known exposure to humans.
Anyone who thinks they may have been bitten, scratched, or come in contact with a raccoon in this area should immediately contact their health care provider or call the DPH Rabies Program at 302-744-4995. An epidemiologist is available 24/7. Anyone in the area who thinks a raccoon might have bitten their pet should call their private veterinarian for examination, treatment, and to report the exposure to Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Rabies is a preventable disease. DPH recommends that individuals take the following steps to prevent rabies exposure:
Since Jan. 1, 2021, DPH has performed rabies tests on 185 animals, 19 of which were confirmed to be rabid, which includes one dog, one deer, one fox, one cow, two skunks, three cats, six bats, and four raccoons, including this positive case. DPH only announces those rabies cases for which it is possible the animal had unknown contacts with additional humans or pets.
In 2020, DPH performed rabies tests on 121 animals, four of which were confirmed to be rabid along with two positive specimens tested out of state, including one raccoon, one bat, and four cats.
Rabies is an infectious disease affecting the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Infection can occur through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or if saliva from such an animal gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or an opening in the skin. Rabies in humans and animals cannot be cured once symptoms appear. Therefore, if a human has been exposed, and the animal is unavailable to be quarantined or tested, DPH recommends that people receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment, a series of four vaccinations, as a precautionary measure.
If You Encounter an Animal Behaving Aggressively:
If You Encounter a Sick or Injured Animal:
For more information on the DPH rabies program, visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/rabies.html or call 1-866-972-9705 or 302-744-4995. For more information on rabies, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
Related Topics: DE Division of Public Health, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, DPH Rabies Program, rabies, rabies exposure
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Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | Date Posted: Friday, December 10, 2021
DOVER (Dec. 10, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising Georgetown residents who live or spend time in the vicinity of West Robbins Road and South Old State Road of a positive case of rabies in a raccoon that potentially exposed two dogs to the virus recently. The raccoon was tested for rabies and the results were positive. There is currently no known exposure to humans.
Anyone who thinks they may have been bitten, scratched, or come in contact with a raccoon in this area should immediately contact their health care provider or call the DPH Rabies Program at 302-744-4995. An epidemiologist is available 24/7. Anyone in the area who thinks a raccoon might have bitten their pet should call their private veterinarian for examination, treatment, and to report the exposure to Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Rabies is a preventable disease. DPH recommends that individuals take the following steps to prevent rabies exposure:
Since Jan. 1, 2021, DPH has performed rabies tests on 185 animals, 19 of which were confirmed to be rabid, which includes one dog, one deer, one fox, one cow, two skunks, three cats, six bats, and four raccoons, including this positive case. DPH only announces those rabies cases for which it is possible the animal had unknown contacts with additional humans or pets.
In 2020, DPH performed rabies tests on 121 animals, four of which were confirmed to be rabid along with two positive specimens tested out of state, including one raccoon, one bat, and four cats.
Rabies is an infectious disease affecting the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Infection can occur through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or if saliva from such an animal gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or an opening in the skin. Rabies in humans and animals cannot be cured once symptoms appear. Therefore, if a human has been exposed, and the animal is unavailable to be quarantined or tested, DPH recommends that people receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment, a series of four vaccinations, as a precautionary measure.
If You Encounter an Animal Behaving Aggressively:
If You Encounter a Sick or Injured Animal:
For more information on the DPH rabies program, visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/rabies.html or call 1-866-972-9705 or 302-744-4995. For more information on rabies, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
Related Topics: DE Division of Public Health, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, DPH Rabies Program, rabies, rabies exposure
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.