LYONS, N.Y. — A raccoon in Wayne County has tested positive for rabies, the county’s public health department says.
The raccoon is from the Lyons and Sodus area. The public health department says a domestic cat in the same area also tested positive for the virus last week.
On Tuesday, a raccoon tested positive for rabies in Livingston County, possibly exposing one person to the virus, the county says.
RELATED: Raccoon tests positive for rabies in Livingston County, public health director says (June 2)
Rabies is a deadly virus mostly found in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats in Wayne County, the department says. However, unvaccinated dogs, cats, and livestock can also become infected.
Aggressive behavior, difficulty walking, and excessive drooling are some common signs of rabies, the department says.
Starting at four months, all dogs, cats, and ferrets must have current rabies vaccinations under New York State Law. Unvaccinated pets that come into contact with a rabid animal will be kept in strict confinement for six months or be euthanized.
The public health department says there is no reliable way to tell if an animal has rabies by looking at it. Therefore, the department says people should avoid contact with all wild or feral animals.
All potential rabies exposures should be reported immediately to Wayne County Public Health at
315-946-5749. After hours, people shoulc call 911 to report a Rabies emergency.
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