Raccoon found in Norfolk had rabies

A raccoon found in Norfolk on June 25 by a domestic dog tested positive for rabies.

The incident occurred in a residential area near the Norfolk International Airport and Lake Whitehurst.

According to Brian Knight with the Norfolk Department of Public Health, the dog had gotten its rabies vaccine prior to the incident.

Knight says that all animal bites and scratches should be reported to health departments, and that the following precautions are recommended to reduce rabies exposure:

• be sure dogs and cats are up-to-date on vaccines
• keep pets confined to home and yard
• keep yards free of food that could attract wild animals
• do not handle, touch or take in stray or wild animals
• warn adults and children to report any animal bites or scratches
• report stray or unvaccinated animals to Animal Control at 757-664-7387
• report all animal or human exposures to the Norfolk Health Department at 757-683-2712