Domestic dog exposed to raccoon had current rabies vaccination

Staff report

BOARDMAN

An Ohio Department of Health Laboratory report has confirmed that a raccoon located in the township has tested positive for rabies.

The raccoon was found in central Boardman after a reported exposure between the raccoon and a dog. It was verified the dog had a current rabies vaccination and also received a booster vaccination, but it is being quarantined for 45 days as a precaution.

It is the first raccoon identified as positive for rabies in Mahoning County in 2015.

The county’s District Board of Health said residents can protect themselves from the threat of rabies by following several precautions: vaccinate pets; maintain control of pets to reduce their exposure to wildlife; spay or neuter pets to decrease the number of stray animals; avoid contact with wildlife and stray animals; wash any animal-bite areas thoroughly and follow-up with a visit to a physician; and report any bite incidents to the health department.

If a suspected sick raccoon, skunk or fox, or a dead specimen of one of these animals that is not decayed nor displays signs of cranial damage is found, residents are asked to contact their local health department.

If found in the city of Youngstown, call the Youngstown City Health District at 330-743-3333; if found in all other Mahoning County communities, call the district health board at 330-270-2855, ext. 2.

“Residents should be vigilant and not interact with or feed wildlife. Pets should be fed indoors, and trash-can lids secured to avoid attracting wildlife onto their property,” said Ryan Tekac, the board’s director of environmental health.

Information about rabies can be found at the county health department website at www.mahoninghealth.org/health/protect-your-family-from-rabies-cdc-features/.