Rare rabid raccoon found in L.A. County prompts health warning
A raccoon in Westlake Village tested positive for rabies, the first confirmed case in Los Angeles County in over five decades, leading officials to urge caution around wildlife.
Los Angeles County Public Health Department announced that a raccoon found in a Westlake Village yard has been confirmed as rabid, the first detection of the species in the area in more than 50 years. The animal showed no aggression, but several people at a nearby worksite and a dog that was up to date on rabies vaccination were potentially exposed; the four workers are now receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis and the dog is being quarantined.
Dr. Muntu Davis emphasized the importance of not touching, handling, or feeding any wild animal, even if it appears healthy, and advised contacting animal control for sick or abnormal wildlife. Officials are testing the virus strain and suspect a bat-origin, as bats are the most common rabies carriers in the county. This case follows a record year for rabid bats, with 70 confirmed this year, though human rabies cases remain extremely rare in California.
Why it matters
It highlights a rare wildlife rabies case and reinforces public safety measures to prevent disease transmission.
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