Second Rabies-Positive Raccoon Reported in Los Angeles County

A second raccoon in Los Angeles County has reportedly tested positive for rabies, according to news reports citing local health officials. The finding highlights the importance of avoiding wildlife, keeping pets vaccinated, and seeking medical advice after a bite, scratch, or possible saliva exposure.

CBS News and ABC7 Los Angeles reported that the animal was the second raccoon in the county to test positive. CBS News reported that the case may be only the second such detection in more than 50 years, although that historical figure should be independently confirmed with Los Angeles County or California public-health authorities before publication or reuse (Source 3).

ABC7 Los Angeles also reported that a second rabies-infected raccoon was found in the county (Source 5).

The available reports do not identify the raccoon’s exact location, discovery date, exposure history, or the agency that performed or confirmed the test. They also do not establish whether the animal contacted people, pets, or other wildlife. Residents should follow updates from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, local animal-control agencies, and California public-health authorities.

What the Report Means

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system. It usually spreads when saliva from an infected animal enters the body through a bite, open wound, eye, mouth, or another mucous membrane. A scratch can also pose a risk if infected saliva contaminates the damaged skin.

Rabies is almost always fatal after symptoms begin. Prompt medical evaluation and post-exposure treatment can prevent illness when started before symptoms develop (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

A positive test in one wild animal does not mean rabies is spreading broadly among people in Los Angeles County. It does not mean every raccoon is infected, and it does not mean residents should capture, relocate, or kill wildlife. It does reinforce the need for routine precautions around raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes, and other wild animals.

How Rabies Spreads

Possible exposure can occur when:

• A raccoon bites a person.
• An animal scratches a person and saliva may have entered the wound.
• Saliva contacts broken skin.
• Saliva enters the eyes, nose, or mouth.
• A dog or cat fights with an infected wild animal.

Simply seeing a raccoon, living near one, or briefly being near one is not generally considered a rabies exposure. Touching fur without contact with saliva or nervous tissue is also not usually an exposure. Anyone uncertain about a specific incident should contact a healthcare professional or local health department.

Do not wait for symptoms before seeking advice. Medical professionals determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis is appropriate based on the contact, the animal involved, its test status, and other circumstances.

Signs of Potentially Rabid Wildlife

Daytime activity alone does not prove that a raccoon has rabies. Warning signs include:

• Unusual aggression.
• Uncharacteristic friendliness or loss of fear.
• Staggering or difficulty walking.
• Weakness, confusion, or disorientation.
• Paralysis or partial paralysis.
• Excessive drooling or difficulty swallowing.
• Repeated activity combined with abnormal behavior.

These signs cannot confirm rabies. Do not approach an animal to inspect it. Keep children and pets away, move indoors or maintain a safe distance, and contact local animal-control or public-health authorities. Do not feed, touch, corner, trap, relocate, or attempt to rescue the animal.

If a raccoon enters a home, avoid direct contact. Keep people and pets away, close interior doors if possible, and request help from animal-control officials or qualified wildlife professionals.

Protecting Pets

Keep dogs’ and cats’ rabies vaccinations current. Contact a veterinarian if a vaccination has expired, records are unavailable, or a pet contacts a raccoon, bat, skunk, fox, or other wild animal. Los Angeles County residents can consult county animal-care and public-health resources for current requirements and reporting instructions (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health).

Reduce wildlife encounters by:

• Securing garbage containers.
• Storing pet food and animal feed in sealed containers.
• Bringing food and water bowls indoors overnight.
• Cleaning up fallen fruit and accessible birdseed.
• Repairing openings under decks, porches, sheds, and garages.
• Keeping pets away from dead or injured wildlife.

Check that no animal is inside before sealing an opening. Do not allow a dog or cat to investigate a dead raccoon.

After a pet encounters a raccoon, separate the pet from the animal without using bare hands. Avoid contact with saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids. Call a veterinarian and local animal-control authorities immediately. Provide vaccination records and details about the time, location, and type of contact. Officials may recommend examination, a booster vaccination, testing, observation, or quarantine.

What to Do After a Bite or Scratch

1. Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water.
2. Flush the area thoroughly.
3. Apply an antiseptic if available.
4. Contact a healthcare provider, urgent-care clinic, emergency department, or local health department as soon as possible.

Report the animal involved, the date and location, the type of contact, the wound’s location and severity, and your vaccination history if known. Also report the incident to animal-control authorities. Do not attempt to capture the raccoon.

Clinicians may recommend rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, which can include wound care, rabies immune globulin, and rabies vaccines. Medical professionals should determine whether treatment is necessary. Treatment works best before symptoms develop.

Symptoms of Rabies

Early symptoms in people may include fever, headache, weakness, general discomfort, and pain or tingling near the wound. Later symptoms can include confusion, agitation, hallucinations, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, paralysis, and severe neurological changes.

In dogs and cats, possible signs include unusual aggression, fearfulness, restlessness, weakness, staggering, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, unusual vocalization, and disorientation. These signs can have other causes, but pets showing neurological or behavioral changes after wildlife contact should be isolated from people and other animals. Contact a veterinarian and animal-control authorities.

Symptoms are not a safe monitoring strategy. Seek medical advice immediately after a possible exposure, even when the wound is minor and you feel well.

What Residents Should Know

The reported case means that a raccoon in Los Angeles County reportedly tested positive for rabies and that wildlife rabies remains a possible public-health risk. It does not mean every raccoon is infected, that there is a broad human outbreak, or that seeing or living near a raccoon causes exposure. It does not establish that any person or pet was exposed.

Residents should secure food and garbage, keep children and pets away from unusual wildlife, maintain current pet vaccinations, and monitor updates from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, local animal-control agencies, California public-health authorities, and licensed veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rabies common in raccoons in Los Angeles County?

The supplied reports describe this as the second raccoon in Los Angeles County to test positive for rabies. One report states that only two such cases have been identified in more than 50 years, but county or state health officials should verify that figure.

Can I get rabies from being near a raccoon?

Simply seeing or being near a raccoon is not generally considered an exposure. Risk usually involves a bite, scratch, or contact between infected saliva and broken skin, the eyes, mouth, or another mucous membrane. Contact a healthcare professional if you are unsure.

What should I do if a raccoon bites or scratches me?

Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water. Contact a healthcare provider or local health department, report the incident to animal-control authorities, and do not attempt to capture the raccoon.

What should I do if my pet fights with a raccoon?

Separate the animals without touching the raccoon or its saliva with bare hands. Contact a veterinarian and animal-control authorities immediately, provide the pet’s vaccination records, and follow official instructions.

How can I protect my pets?

Keep rabies vaccinations current, supervise pets outdoors, use a leash, secure garbage and pet food, and prevent pets from approaching wildlife. Contact a veterinarian after any encounter with a wild animal.

Conclusion

The reported second rabies-positive raccoon in Los Angeles County is a reminder to avoid wildlife contact and maintain routine precautions. After a bite, scratch, or possible saliva exposure, wash the affected area immediately and contact a healthcare provider or public-health department. Do not wait for symptoms or attempt to capture the animal.