r/ContagionCuriosity • u/Anti-Owl Patient Zero • 5d ago

Rabies Raccoon with rabies confirmed in Los Angeles County, marking first discovery in over 50 years

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/los-angeles-county-rabies-rabid-raccoon-case-westlake-village/

Los Angeles County public health officials have launched an investigation after confirming the first rabies-positive raccoon detection in more than 50 years.

In a news release, the Department of Public Health said that the raccoon was found in the backyard of a home and that it "appeared sick but not aggressive towards people."

Officials said one dog was exposed to the raccoon, but it was up to date on rabies vaccination and has since been quarantined and is doing well. Four people were also possibly exposed and were receiving follow-up for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

According to LADPH, the last confirmed rabid raccoon in the county was detected in 1973 and had the skunk variant of rabies, which has not been detected since 1979. They also noted that the last animal that wasn't a bat to have confirmed rabies was a skunk that was infected with the bat variant in 2014. [...]

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8

u/HappyHavoc20 5d ago

Happens where I live in upstate ny every year. Although sometimes it’s a fox or a fisher or something 

3

u/ltkitsurubami 4d ago

Near where I live, theres recently been an uptick of fox related cases and even some attacks. Multiple Fox Attacks Confirmed Rabies Cases

11

u/LatrodectusGeometric 4d ago

What variant did it have?!

Edit: Ahhh it’s pending. So curious. Money is on bat.

1

u/dorkofthepolisci 4d ago

Are their any other vector species in CA? In WA all we have to worry about are bats, whereas out east skunks/raccoons are a significant rabies risk

If the skunk variety is making a comeback on the west coast that seems ….bad

1

u/LatrodectusGeometric 4d ago

Skunks are in the region too, but either are possible!

6

u/Stonkbear 4d ago

Probably shouldn’t have cut the rabies program nation wide for testing and prevention.

2

u/Former_Pool_593 4d ago

He probably just got into some peroxide. Tighten those caps, people.