The raccoon, not the one pictured, tested positive for rabies after the biting incident, park officials said.
Unsplash/Henry Dinardo
A hiker was exposed to a dangerous disease when they encountered an aggressive raccoon in Pennsylvania, officials said.
The hiker was traveling along the McDade Recreational Trail on the Pennsylvania section of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on March 14 when they were bitten by a raccoon, according to a March news release from park officials.
After the incident, the raccoon was tested for rabies and the results came back positive, authorities said.
Park officials are unsure if any other animals in the area are also infected with rabies as of March 21.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has land in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
What to know about rabies
Rabies, a virus that impacts the central nervous system, is “fatal but preventable,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease impacts mammals and, if left untreated, can cause the disease to spread into the brain and kill the infected animal or person, the center said.
More than 90% of rabies cases occur in wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats, the CDC said. However, rabid dog bites are the leading cause of human deaths from the virus, according to the center.
The virus spreads through saliva from an infected animal or person, which is why bites or scratches can be dangerous, according to the National Park Service.
Many people can spot rabies in animals by looking at them, according to the CDC. While some animals can become aggressive or start drooling, they can also display other strange behaviors such as moving slow or acting tame, the center said.
The National Park Service recommends keeping distance from wild animals and contacting park officials if you spot an animal acting strangely. Making sure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations are also essential to preventing the spread, the center said.
If you suspect you’ve come into contact with an animal that may have rabies, the CDC suggests:
- Washing your wounds with soap and water
- Scheduling an appointment with a health care provider immediately
- Contacting the state or local health department in case you are in need of postexposure prophylaxis — a series of rabies vaccine dosages.
Makiya Seminera
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