Posted on September 16, 19104 at 18:44:51:
County health officials are asking residents who may have had contact with a raccoon on or several days before Saturday, September 11, 2004 to contact them at 240-777-1755. A raccoon with aggressive behavior was shot by a Takoma Park Police Officer that afternoon and has tested positive for rabies. The raccoon was seen in the 100 block of Philadelphia Avenue, the 7400 block of Cedar Avenue and the 100 block of Grant Avenue. One child was bitten and two dogs were attacked by this raccoon. All known exposures are well and under medical care.
Types of contact likely to require human rabies vaccination treatment include:
Being bitten or scratched by the raccoon
Eyes or mouth having contact with the raccoon's saliva
Having contact with the raccoon's saliva on a hand with a scratch or cut or other open wound
County residents are urged to take the following steps to help prevent rabies in humans and domestic animals:
Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. Dogs and cats are required by law to be licensed and vaccinated. Failure to do so can result in fines of up to $550 for each day the violation continues. More seriously, failure to vaccinate dogs and cats can endanger other animals and the entire community. The Police Department's Division of Animal Services offers free rabies vaccinations every other month. For recorded information about the rabies vaccination schedule, please call 240-773-5946.
Keep dogs on a leash and keep cats indoors. Dogs and cats who are allowed to roam freely may bring home many diseases to their families, including rabies.
Surrender all unwanted pets to the Humane Society rather than abandoning animals.
Only approach domestic animals that are known to you.
Avoid all contact with wild animals. Do not feed wild animals, and do not leave out food that may attract raccoons, including dog or cat food, table scraps or bird seed.
Close off all entrances to chimneys, attics, garages or sheds which can provide a nesting site for raccoons.
If you have a problem with raccoons getting into garbage, switch to metal cans and fasten the lids with a chain and snap hooks.
General information on rabies is available at www.cdc.gov, choose A-Z Index, "R" for Rabies, then Rabies site.
If you had raccoon contact during this time and location, health officials wish to assess a possible risk of rabies exposure. Contact the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Disease Control Program at 240-777-1755.
[Message provided at the request of Susan Wilby, R.N., of the Montgomery County Dept. of Health and Human Services' Epidemiology and Surveillance unit.]