The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has confirmed that a raccoon discovered on Ganster Street in the Borough of Etna has tested positive for rabies.
Rabies is a virus transmitted by an animal bite or scratch, and exposures due to a bite or scratch are almost always fatal when left untreated. Any individual who is bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to saliva from a stray or any other animal, should immediately cleanse the contact area with soap and water, seek emergency medical treatment and call the Allegheny County Health Department at 412-687-2243 to report the incident.
Residents are reminded to always avoid wild and stray animals to avoid exposure to rabies and to make sure their pets are up-to-date with vaccinations.
If any animal appears to be acting strange or threatening, residents should notify their local animal control service, the police or the Pennsylvania Game Commission immediately.
This is the 15th rabid animal reported in Allegheny County so far in 2019: 12 raccoons, two bats and one cat.
