Raccoons are one of the most commonly seen urban wildlife species in many parts of North America. With their distinctive black masks and striped tails, these clever mammals have adapted remarkably well to living in close proximity to humans. However, their presence in our neighborhoods raises the question: do raccoons carry rabies?
The short answer is yes, raccoons can contract and spread the rabies virus. In fact, they are one of the major wildlife reservoirs for rabies in the United States. But before we go into more detail, let’s first understand what rabies is and why it’s such a serious concern.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal or exposure to its saliva. Without prompt treatment, rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
The rabies virus travels through the nerves to the brain, causing inflammation and progressive neurological symptoms like anxiety, confusion, agitation, delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and difficulty swallowing. As the disease progresses, it causes paralysis and ultimately death.
Raccoons and Rabies
Raccoons are highly susceptible to the rabies virus and represent a significant portion of reported rabies cases in wildlife each year across the United States. Their propensity for densely populated urban and suburban areas means frequent interactions with humans, pets, and other animals, increasing the risk of transmission.
Once a raccoon is infected with rabies, the virus can incubate for weeks or months before symptoms appear. During this time, the animal may seem perfectly healthy while shedding the virus in its saliva, putting anyone it encounters at risk through bites or exposure to its saliva.
When raccoons do start showing signs of rabies, their behavior can become highly unpredictable and aggressive. Symptoms include:
- Aggression and lack of fear of humans
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Appearing confused or disoriented
- Making unusual vocalizations
- Walking in circles or having an uncoordinated gait
- Appearing lethargic or paralyzed
It’s important to note that not all raccoons exhibiting these symptoms necessarily have rabies. Distemper and other illnesses can produce similar neurological signs. However, any raccoon behaving abnormally should be avoided, and animal control should be contacted immediately.
Preventing Rabies from Raccoons
While raccoons can carry rabies, there are steps you can take to minimize the risks to yourself, your family, and your pets:
- Never approach or try to handle raccoons. Enjoy watching them from a safe distance.
- Make sure your pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. This vital step protects them in case they encounter an infected raccoon.
- Don’t leave pet food or water bowls outside, as this can attract raccoons and other wildlife to your home.
- Seal any openings larger than 4 inches to prevent raccoons from gaining entry into your home. Check attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces.
- If you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention right away, even if the raccoon appeared healthy.
- Report any raccoons acting strangely to your local animal control authorities. They can assess the situation and take the proper measures.
While rabies from raccoons is certainly a serious concern, it’s also preventable through a combination of vaccinating your pets, avoiding direct contact with wildlife, and being aware of your environment. By taking some basic precautions, we can peacefully co-exist with these adaptable urban raccoons while minimizing health risks to ourselves and our animal companions.
