What is raccoon rabies and what should I know about it?
Raccoon rabies is a strain of rabies carried mainly by raccoons. Raccoon rabies is rabies. It can be spread to farm animals, pets and people through the saliva of an infected animal in the same ways as other strains of rabies. Raccoon rabies kills raccoons, other animals and humans in the same way as other strains of rabies do. The only difference is that it is spread primarily by raccoons. As of today, no human has died from the raccoon strain of rabies. Whether this remains true tomorrow, next month, next year, who knows. Education, and not blind panic, is the key to control and prevention of the spread of rabies. Do not assume that every raccoon you see is rabid; the majority killed for rabies testing are found to not have the disease. Do not assume that a raccoon out in the daytime is rabid; many raccoons, particularly nursing females, prefer to forage during the day. Do learn to recognize the signs and symtoms of rabies. Do learn how to minimize the risks to you, your family, your
