Raccoon with rabies found in Westlake Village, first LA County case since 1973
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (KESQ) - A rabies-positive raccoon has been found in the backyard of a Westlake Village home, the first confirmed rabid raccoon in Los Angeles County since 1973, officials said Monday.
The animal reportedly appeared sick but was not aggressive toward people, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which did not say exactly when the raccoon was discovered. The department added that one dog who was up to date on rabies vaccine may have been exposed to the raccoon, is under quarantine and was "doing well."
Four people at a nearby work site may have been exposed to the raccoon as well and were receiving recommended follow-up for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
When the last known confirmed rabid raccoon in Los Angeles County was detected in 1973, the skunk variant (strain) of rabies was still present in the county, but that strain has not been detected here since 1979. The last non-bat animal confirmed to have rabies in Los Angeles County was a skunk infected with the bat variant of rabies in Long Beach in 2014.
The rabies variant the raccoon was infected with has not yet been determined. Based on current knowledge of rabies occurrence in Los Angeles County, it is likely this raccoon was infected with rabies from a bat, officials said. The department said variant testing can take several weeks.
Rabies causes tens of thousands of human deaths globally each year, with most human cases linked to exposure to dogs in countries where the dog strain of rabies is still present.
"The detection of rabies in a raccoon is an important reminder to never touch, handle, or feed any wild animals, even when they appear healthy,'' said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer. "Always keep a safe distance from wildlife and contact your local animal control if you encounter an animal that appears sick, injured, or is behaving unusually. It is also critical to ensure your pets are up to date on rabies vaccination so they are protected before any potential exposure. Keeping your pets vaccinated is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your entire family."
Historically, rabies exposures in Los Angeles County have been associated with contact with bats. Rabid bat detections can vary year-to-year, but Los Angeles County has seen a steady upward trend for more than a decade. Peak season typically occurs in late summer. So far this year, there have been a record-breaking 70 rabid bats confirmed in Los Angeles County, officials said.
Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal; however, timely administration of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after a potential exposure is highly effective at preventing disease.
The public was reminded to never touch a bat or any wild animal, as even small or unnoticed bites can transmit rabies. Rabies is 100% fatal in animals once symptoms begin, but completely preventable through vaccination. Officials recommend vaccinating indoor-only cats and older pets, and ensuring all pets stay current on their rabies vaccine.
Those bitten by a wild mammal (raccoon, skunk, opossum, coyote, etc.) were urged to seek medical advice immediately and report it to Public Health. Those with pets who are bitten by a wild mammal should seek veterinary care immediately and report it to your local animal control and Public Health.
Those who notice sick wildlife should not approach the animal, but should call their local animal control department.
Other tips include not leaving pet food outdoors and not feeding free- roaming animals, keeping trash in containers with tightly fitting lids, and closing off crawl spaces and sealing openings where animals can enter.
