Rabid Raccoon Found in Marion MA Prompts Health Warning

MARION (WBSM) — A raccoon in Marion has tested positive for rabies.

Where the Rabid Raccoon Was Found in Marion

According to a Town of Marion press release, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health notified the Marion Board of Health and Animal Control that a raccoon found in the area of Point Road near the water tower tested positive for rabies.

“The raccoon was acting oddly and was sent to the state for testing,” the release stated.

As recently reported by WBSM, raccoons are the No. 1 carrier of rabies in Massachusetts. Other animals likely for infection include bats, skunks, foxes, and woodchucks.

Rabies Transmission and Human Health Risks

Rabies is caused by a virus transmitted through saliva from an infected animal getting into a bite or other open wound, or through the eyes, nose, or mouth of another animal or person.

Although there are fewer than 10 human deaths due to rabies annually, around 100,000 Americans must undergo treatment each year after they were potentially exposed to the disease.

Warning Signs of Rabies in Wildlife

Signs of rabies in animals include:

Abnormal or aggressive behavior
Lethargy, weakness, or paralysis
Self-mutilation
Seizures
Excessive salivation
Difficulty breathing or swallowing

If you see an animal you believe may be infected, keep a safe distance and contact your local Animal Control to report it.

Animals in Which Rabies is Most Commonly Found

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in North America rabies is most commonly found in bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and mongoose. It is also found in cats, cattle, and dogs. The CDC says that rabid bats have been found in every state except for Hawaii. Rabid mongoose have been found in Puerto Rico.

Rabies is easily transmitted from animals to other animals, including human beings. Human cases are rare in the United States, but deadly if not caught in time.

Gallery Credit: Kristine Bellino