Health Department is Seeking a Person Who Brought a Raccoon to Cornell University Hospital for Animals
(ITHACA, NY, July 27, 2020) – The Tompkins County Health Department reports that a raccoon anonymously left at the doors of Cornell University Hospital for Animals on July 23, 2020 around 12 AM, in the City of Ithaca, was determined to be rabid by the New York State Rabies Laboratory on July 27, 2020. The Health Department is seeking information on the person(s) that may have handled the raccoon prior to it being dropped off at the veterinary hospital to determine whether they were potentially exposed to the rabies virus.
Rabies is normally transmitted by the bite of a wild or domestic rabid mammal. Exposures can also occur if saliva from a rabid animal enters the body through a mucous membrane, a wound that bled within 24 hours previous to the exposure, or an older wound showing signs of a bacterial infection. Do not handle pets or objects that may be contaminated with saliva from a potentially rabid animal without wearing protective gloves. Wash your hands immediately with soap and water if you do touch the saliva. Remember that a cut incurred while skinning a rabid mammal could also result in rabies transmission, as nervous tissue of an infected animal will carry the virus.
Anyone with information regarding this racoon is urged to call the Tompkins County Environmental Health Division anytime at (607) 274-6688.
The Health Department reminds everyone to:
- Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals. If you are bitten and can safely do so, get contact information from the owner.
- All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Keep vaccinations current!
- Report the following incidents to the Tompkins County Health Department at 274-6688:
- All animal bites or scratches.
- Any human or pet contact with saliva or other potentially infectious material (brain tissue, spinal tissue, or cerebro-spinal fluid) of wild animals or any animal suspected of having rabies.
- All bat bites, scratches, or any mere skin contact with a bat, or a bat in a room with a child, or sleeping or impaired person. For more information about bats, including a video to learn how to safely capture a bat, Click Here.
- Always contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before handling any injured or potentially abandoned wildlife. Rehabilitators can be found here tompkinscountyny.gov/health/eh/rabies and on the NYS DEC website here www.dec.ny.gov.
The Tompkins County Health Department is your partner for a healthy community. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TompkinsPublicHealth and on Twitter at @TompkinsHealth.
