Health officials issue warning after rabid raccoon bites, scratches person in Glasgow

The Delaware Division of Public Health is warning Glasgow residents to be on alert after a rabid raccoon bit and scratched a person earlier this week.

The person, whose age and gender were not given, was attacked by the raccoon on Sunday, health officials said. The raccoon was captured and later tested positive for rabies.

Health officials are warning those who live or are often near Frazer and Denny roads in Glasgow to contact their doctor if they think they came into contact with a raccoon in that area.

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They can also call the Division of Public Health's rabies program at 302-744-4995, where they can speak to an epidemiologist.

Additionally, the health department recommends anyone who thinks their pet may have been bitten or scratched by a raccoon to call their veterinarian. They must report the exposure to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

Since the beginning of this year, the Division of Public Health has performed rabies tests on 176 animals, 18 of which tested positive – including this most recent case.

Of the 18 animals that tested positive, there were: six bats; three raccoons; three cats; two skunks; and one cow, fox, deer and dog.

Health officials said they announce rabies cases only when it's possible the animal had contact with humans or pets.

The number of positive rabies cases in Delaware this year has far surpassed 2020, which saw six positive cases out of 121 animals tested.

Health officials said the person who was attacked this week is undergoing post-exposure treatment.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Rabid raccoon bites, scratches person in Glasgow, health officials say