Poquoson, Va. (WAVY) – Officials for The Peninsula Health District are warning residents and businesses in Poquoson after a raccoon in the area tested positive for rabies.
A raccoon who was encountered by three domestic dogs around the area of Church Street and Poquoson Avenue has tested positive for rabies.
Officials are asking that the community who have had contact with the raccoon to immediately get in touch with the Environmental Health office and the Poquoson Animal Control.
Contact can range anywhere from a bite, scratch, or contact with saliva by open wounds and eyes, nose and mouth.
The District would also like to remind everyone of these important rabies prevention guidelines:
- Vaccinate your pets.
- Report all exposures to animals to your doctors or to a local health department.
- Enjoy wildlife from a distance. That means don’t feed and encourage wild animals to get close to you.
- Don’t leave trash uncovered or anything that may attract wild animals to your property.
Rabies is fatal, but is very much preventable.