Providence Woman Starts Weeks of Rabies Shots After Aug. 3 Raccoon Attack
Updated
Updated · Turn to 10 · Aug 7
Providence Woman Starts Weeks of Rabies Shots After Aug. 3 Raccoon Attack
1 articles · Updated · Turn to 10 · Aug 7
Summary
Catherine Bodner is recovering after a raccoon latched onto her leg while she pulled weeds in her Providence backyard on Aug. 3, sending her to Miriam Hospital overnight.
Weeks of rabies vaccinations and antibiotics followed because the animal attacked aggressively in daylight, behavior Rhode Island's state epidemiologist said can signal a neurologic problem including rabies.
Rabies is almost always fatal without prompt treatment, and health officials said anyone bitten or scratched by a wild animal should get away and seek medical care immediately if skin was broken or saliva may have contacted them.
Rhode Island's health department is testing about the same number of animals as usual this year but is seeing more come back rabies-positive, adding to concern over the attack.