VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A raccoon is being tested for rabies after getting into a fight with a dog at First Landing State Park.
The Virginia Beach City Government says the incident happened at the 62nd Street entrance at the north end of the park.
The raccoon is now deceased.
No humans have been identified as being exposed.
“For the safety of our citizens, the Public Health Department notifies the public when there has been an incident involving a wild animal and a domestic pet. According to the Center for Disease Control, any animal bitten or scratched by either a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat that is not available for testing should be regarded as having been exposed to rabies,” the Virginia Beach City Government said on their Facebook page. “The most common mode of rabies virus transmission is through the bite and virus-containing saliva of an infected host.”
Rabies is 100 percent fatal if left untreated. If you or your animal have been exposed to stray or wild animals within the past few weeks, call Citizen Services at 385-3111.
