RACCOON TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES IN WICOMICO COUNTY

RACCOON TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES IN WICOMICO COUNTY

(April 15, 2019, Salisbury, MD) On April 15, 2019, a raccoon tested positive for rabies in the Pemberton Drive area near Pemberton Park in Salisbury, Maryland. The Wicomico County Health Department is advising all residents to be aware of their surroundings and avoid contact with all wild or stray animals.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease that exists in the saliva of mammals and is transmitted from animal to animal or from animal to human by biting and/or scratching. The virus can also be spread by licking, when infected saliva makes contact with open cuts or wounds, and with the mouth, eyes, and nose. If left untreated in humans and animals, rabies is fatal.

Please keep the following tips in mind to protect your family and your pets:

• Keep pets confined
• Avoid all contact with wild or stray animals
• Teach children to leave unfamiliar animals alone
• Vaccinate pets - Maryland law requires that all dogs, cats, and ferrets, 4 months of age and older have a current rabies vaccination.
• Avoid feeding or watering pets outside
• Secure outside garbage lids

The Wicomico County Health Department will be hosting a rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs on April 23, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Salisbury Moose Lodge on 833 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804. Vaccination cost is $10 per animal (cash only). One year vaccines will be given unless the owner provides previous rabies vaccination records.

To report human or animal contact, such as bites or scratches, call the Wicomico County Health Department at (410) 546-4446. For more information on rabies or rabies vaccination clinics, visit our website at www.wicomichealth.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram (WicomicoHealth), or Twitter (@WicomicoHealth).