First rabid raccoon case in L.A. County in more than 50 years sparks warning

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Set us as preferred Los Angeles County health officials are reminding residents and their pets to be safe around wild animals, after finding what may be the first rabid raccoon case in more than 50 years.A sick raccoon was discovered in a Westlake Village backyard but was not aggressive toward people, which is commonly associated with rabies-infected animals, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department announced Monday.A few people at a worksite near the animal and a dog — that was up to date on its rabies vaccine — were potentially exposed to the disease.

“The detection of rabies in a raccoon is an important reminder to never touch, handle, or feed any wild animals, even when they appear healthy,” said Dr.Muntu Davis, health officer for Los Angeles County.

“Always keep a safe distance from wildlife and contact your local animal control if you encounter an animal that appears sick, injured, or is behaving unusually.”Four people at the worksite are receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis — which can include a dose of human rabies immune globulin and a rabies vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The canine is under quarantine, and officials say it’s doing well.Rabies is a rare but serious disease that can infect the brains of both people and animals, according to the California Department of Public Health.An infected animal can pass rabies to another animal or to a person through its bite, but that’s not the only way it can be transmitted.Exposure can occur any time saliva or tissue from the infected animal enters the body, such as through a bite or a scratch, or contact with a wound or the mouth, nose or eyes.In California, bats and skunks are the animals that most often get rabies, according to the state health department.The last known rabid raccoon in Los Angeles C...