QUANTICO, Md.- The Wicomico County Health Department says a raccoon tested positive for rabies Thursday in the area of Catchpenny Road, south of Nanticoke in Quantico.
The health department is advising all residents to be aware of their surroundings and avoid contact with all wild or stray animals.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that exists in the saliva of mammals and is transmitted from animal to animal or from animal to human by biting and/or scratching. The virus can also be spread by licking, when infected saliva makes contact with open cuts or wounds, and with the mouth, eyes, and nose. If left untreated in humans and animals, rabies is fatal.
The health department is offering the following safety tips:
- Keep pets confined
- Avoid all contact with wild or stray animals
- Teach children to leave unfamiliar animals alone
- Vaccinate pets – Maryland law requires that all dogs, cats, and ferrets, 4 months of age and older have a current rabies vaccination.
- Avoid feeding or watering pets outside
- Secure outside garbage lids
To report human or animal contact, such as bites or scratches, call the Wicomico County Health Department at 410-546-4446.