LA County Finds 2nd Rabid Raccoon in 50 Years, Exposing 2 People

Q: If rabies is almost always fatal after symptoms start, what should you do immediately after any possible contact with a wild animal?

After any possible contact with a wild animal, wash the area immediately and seek medical care right away. Public health guidance says to scrub any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure thoroughly with soap and water—ideally for about 15 minutes—and use an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine if available. Do not wait for symptoms. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, but it can usually be prevented if post-exposure treatment starts before then. A doctor or emergency clinic can assess the risk and, if needed, begin rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, which for unvaccinated people typically includes human rabies immune globulin and a vaccine series. You should also report the incident promptly to animal control or local public health authorities. If the animal can be safely identified or captured by professionals, testing may help determine whether treatment is necessary. Do not try to handle or catch the animal yourself. This is especially important with bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and other wild mammals. Bat exposures deserve extra caution because bites can be tiny and easy to miss, especially in children or sleeping people. If a pet was exposed, contact a veterinarian immediately as well.

1 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Oct 24

Westlake Village officials found a sick, aggressive raccoon that tested positive for rabies, marking Los Angeles County’s second infected raccoon in more than 50 years.
Two people exposed at a worksite are receiving emergency post-exposure treatment, while health officials said no pets were exposed in the latest case.
Public Health is still tracing the source, but the first raccoon carried a rabies variant typically found in bats, and the county has already recorded 77 rabid bats this year.
Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms begin, prompting officials to urge residents not to handle wildlife, to report abnormal animals, and to keep pets’ vaccinations current.