A raccoon in Kortright has tested positive for rabies. This is the third animal in Delaware County to test positive for rabies in 2023. One person was exposed to the rabid raccoon and has begun Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). No domestic animals were exposed to the rabid raccoon.
Once infected, rabies is a virus that has 100% fatality rate when left untreated, in mammals including humans. Public Health recommends the following precautions to protect yourself and your family from possible exposure to rabies:
• Rabies is a fatal disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. However, it can take several weeks to several months for symptoms to appear.
• Any mammal can get rabies, but it is most often seen in bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. Animals do not have to be aggressive or behave erratically to have rabies. But changes in any animal’s normal behavior can be early signs of rabies.
• Rabies vaccinations are encouraged to prevent rabies in humans and pets.
Additional rabies prevention steps:
• Stay away from unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic.
• Do not leave pet food outside.
• Wash any wound from an animal encounter thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
• Keep your pet’s vaccinations current.
• Monitor pets when outside.
Take advantage of any of the free remaining rabies clinics for cats, dogs, and ferrets in Delaware County.
• Delhi- August 22, 5 - 7 p.m., Delhi Fire Hall, 140 Delview Terrace Extn.
• Stamford - September 12, 5 - 7 p.m., Stamford Fire Hall, 111 Main St. Stamford
• Deposit - October 2, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., DPW garage 1 Village St (200 Front St), Deposit
To report a suspected rabid animal call Delaware County Public Health Services at 607-832-5200. For more information visit www.delawarecountypublichealth.com
