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Health Dept. Reports Positive Rabies Case

MOUNDSVILLE – The Marshall County Health Department is warning people to avoid contact with any wild animals after a raccoon tested positive for rabies in the county.

A raccoon in the Adams Hill area of Cameron tested positive for rabies on Thursday. This is the first laboratory-confirmed animal rabies case in Marshall County for 2019. The health department is warning residents to be wary of animals acting strangely or aggressively. The health department also reminds residents to keep their pet’s vaccinations up to date.

Health officials also urged residents not to ground feed wild animals, especially in residential areas. Residents should also control and secure residential garbage waste in and around homes and businesses. The Marshall County Health Department and other county health departments in West Virginia, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services regularly test animals for rabies throughout the year.

Rabies is a virus capable of infecting warm-blooded animals. Rabies mainly affects the brain. The disease is common in wildlife in North America, notably in bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes. There have not been any naturally occurring cases identified in birds and it is extremely rare in rodents. The disease is usually spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal. The virus is transmitted through the saliva. Rabies is a virus that if left untreated can be fatal.

Most exposures occur because people don’t consider the risk of rabies. Exposures occur through contact with wildlife or with domestic animals exposed to rabid wildlife. Therefore, avoid raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats and stray or unfamiliar dogs and cats. In addition, wild species, including wild/domestic crossbreeds should not be kept as pets.

For more information, call the Marshall County Health Department at 304-845-7840 or visit its website at www.marshallcountyhealthdepartment.com.

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