EAST LYME, Conn. — A raccoon found in Niantic tested positive for rabies on Friday, according to the Ledge Light Health District.
The raccoon was found on Joyce Court.
LLHD is the local health department for East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Stonington and Waterford. Niantic is a village in East Lyme.
The public should refrain from feeding or approaching any wild or stray animals, LLHD said in a release on Friday.
Rabies is a deadly disease that is caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including people, according to LLHD, which said it is spread mostly by wild animals, but stray cats and dogs may also become infected and spread the virus.
“The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. Rabies can be spread by scratches from infected animals or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, breaks in the skin or mucous membranes – eyes, nose, mouth, etc.,” LLHD Director of Health Jennifer Muggeo said in the release.
One can contact LLHD with questions or concerns at 860-448-4882. East Lyme Animal Control can also be contacted at 860-739-3419.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several thing residents can do to protect their pets from rabies. One such action is visiting a veterinarian on a regular basis and keeping rabies vaccinations up to date for all cats, ferrets and dogs.
Additionally, one should maintain control of their pets by keeping cats and ferrets indoors and keeping dogs under direct supervision. Spraying or neutering your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or vaccinated regularly is also encouraged.
While very rare in humans, the CDC notes that rabies is dangerous and can be life threatening if left untreated.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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