County Health Officials Looking For People Who Dropped Rabid Raccoon Off At Vet Clinic

RHINEBECK, NY — Health officials are trying to trace those who might have come in close contact with a rabid animal in the Hudson Valley.

The Dutchess County Department of Health has now confirmed that the raccoon found in Rhinebeck has tested positive for rabies.

On Thursday, the raccoon was brought to Rhinebeck Animal Hospital after being observed exhibiting unusual behavior on a local roadway. The people who took the animal to the hospital left before providing contact information or specific information about where the animal was found.

The Dutchess County Department of Health is asking those who brought the raccoon to the animal hospital, or anyone who may know their identities, to contact the Department as soon as possible.

Health officials are seeking to assess any potential exposure to rabies and provide appropriate guidance.

Rabies is a viral disease that can affect the central nervous system of humans and other mammals, according to the health department. The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, making early intervention essential. The virus is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via bites or scratches. Immediate medical attention following potential exposure is crucial to prevent the onset of symptoms.

Health officials in Dutchess County are reminding residents not to approach non-domesticated animals. If anyone in the community should see an animal acting strangely, or if they, their pet or someone they know gets bitten by, or has an open wound exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of a domestic or wild animal, call the health department immediately.

If any person or any domestic animal has had recent direct contact with a raccoon in the Rhinebeck area, please call the Dutchess County Department of Health as soon as possible at 845-486-3404, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 845-320 1656 on nights and weekends. Immediate treatment after potential exposure to rabies is crucial, according to health officials.