Rabid raccoon breaks into home, attacking person and their dog, NC officials say
A rabid raccoon broke into an Eastern North Carolina home, where it carried out an attack, officials said.
A person and their pet were bitten during the encounter, which was reported to the Kinston Police Department this week, according to the Lenoir County Health Department.
The furry intruder was later spotted in Kinston, where Lenoir County officials said it was captured. The raccoon was taken to a state lab and tested positive for rabies.
After the attack, the person inside the home received medical treatment. The dog had gotten its vaccines, WITN reported.
Now, officials in Lenoir County — roughly 80 miles southeast of Raleigh — are encouraging dog owners to get their pets up to date on their shots and warning the public about risks linked to rabid wildlife.
“Rabies is a dangerous disease for both people and animals,” health department director Pamela Brown said in a news release. “Please let the Health Department, the hospital, or your doctor know if you have been scratched or bitten by or have handled an animal that could be rabid. Please do not approach or touch an animal that could be rabid; call Animal Control instead.”
In addition to raccoons, rabies can be found in wild bats, foxes and skunks. Though the disease is most often spread through bites from infected animals, a person can also get infected through scratches or other injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The rabies virus infects the central nervous system,” the CDC said on its website. “If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a potential rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start.”
People with rabies may experience flu-like symptoms, discomfort or confusion. Health officials say rabies cases in humans are rare in the United States, usually totaling 1 to 3 each year, according to data through December 2019.
This story was originally published January 27, 2022 at 7:57 AM with the headline "Rabid raccoon breaks into home, attacking person and their dog, NC officials say."
