POQUOSON, Va. – The Peninsula Health District is notifying residents and businesses after a raccoon found in the area of Emmaus Road and East Yorktown Road in Poquoson has tested positive for rabies.
Anyone who has information regarding any exposure to this animal – whether bite, scratch or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose or mouth – is asked to contact the Peninsula Health Department at (757) 594-7340. Exposures also include direct contact between your pet and the rabid animal.
After hours, please contact Poquoson/Newport News Animal Control at (757) 595-7387.
Rabies is a fatal, but preventable disease that is carried by mammals and has been in the wild animal population on the Peninsula since the mid-1980s.
The health district’s local office of Environmental Health Services will be contacting the immediate neighbors as well as any civic or homeowner’s association that serves the community.
Related: Rabid raccoon found in Norfolk neighborhood
Health officials are reminding all citizens to follow these four important rabies prevention guidelines:
- 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, feral cats, 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.
