POQUOSON, Va. — The Peninsula Health District put out an advisory Wednesday to let people who live or work in part of Poquoson know that a raccoon tested positive for rabies.
The advisory was for the area around the 1400 block of Poquoson Avenue.
Health officials asked anyone who may have been exposed to the virus through the raccoon's bite, scratch, or saliva contact them at (757) 594-7340.
They also asked people to be aware if their pets were exposed to the raccoon. In cases of possible pet exposure, after hours, owners can contact Newport News Animal Control at (757) 595-7387.
The health district said its Environmental Health Services would contact the immediate neighbors as well as any civic or homeowners' association that serves the community.
Rabies is deadly, but preventable. Health officials included these guidelines to prevent rabies when is put out its advisory:
- Vaccinate your pets.
- Report all exposures to animals (usually bites and scratches) to your doctor and the local health department.
- Enjoy wildlife from a distance – don’t feed or encourage wild animals such as raccoons, skunks or foxes to visit your premises.
- Do not feed your pets outside, leave trash uncovered, or do anything that may attract wild animals to your property.
