Rabid Raccoon Found in Dandy Area of York County

A raccoon found in the Dandy area of York County has tested positive for the rabies virus.

The Peninsula Health District is asking residents in the area of Middle Road and Bradley Drive in York County to contact the Health Department at 757-594-7340 with any information regarding exposure to this raccoon, which was found in a yard with four dogs. Exposures include bites, scratches, contact with saliva by eyes, nose, mouth or open wound and contact between pets and the rabid raccoon. After business hours, residents can contact Animal Control at 757-890-3601.

Rabies is carried by mammals and has been on the peninsula since the mid-1980s; it is fatal, but preventable. Citizens can protect themselves and their pets from rabies by:

• Vaccinating pets;
• Reporting all animal exposures, including bites and scratches, to a doctor and the local health department;
• Do not feed wild animals –including raccoons, skunks and foxes– or encourage them to come onto property near homes;
• Do not feed pets outside, leave trash uncovered to do anything that could attract wild animals.