HAMPTON, Va. - The Hampton Health Department reported Monday that they have confirmed a positive case of rabies.
A raccoon was found by two family dogs on Smithman Circle near Kecoughtan High School on August 26. The raccoon was euthanized and submitted to the State Laboratory in Richmond for testing and confirmed to be positive for rabies.
Environmental Health Manager, Gary Hagy, urges all citizens to make sure that their pets have current rabies shots.
Residents should not feed wild animals or leave food outside for their pets that may attract wild animals. Hagy also says all contact with wild or stray animals should be avoided.
If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately wash the wound thoroughly and contact your physician or the Health Department for further advice. If a citizen sees a sickly animal, particularly a raccoon, they should call the Hampton Animal Response Team at 727-6111 and advise them of its location so they can pick up the animal.
