RACCOON KILLED BY DOGS HAD RABIES, HEALTH DEPARTMENTS SAY.(LOCAL) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

Byline: JANIE BRYANT, STAFF WRITER

PORTSMOUTH -- A raccoon killed by two dogs in the Churchland West area this week has tested positive for rabies, Portsmouth Health Department officials said Thursday.

The dogs have been quarantined, and there has been no known human exposure to rabies in the case, the health department said. The dogs' owner reported the incident, and the raccoon was picked up Tuesday morning and taken to the Norfolk Health Department.

The Norfolk Health Department confirmed rabies later that afternoon, said Karen Gulley, environmental health manager at the Portsmouth Health Department.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Animals and humans both can contract the disease through a bite or a cut or open sore. Animals also come in contact with the virus when they share food with an infected animal or live close together.

Gulley said residents don't need to live near wetlands or waterfront property to be on the alert for wild animals.

Raccoons sometimes travel through storm pipes, she said.

Although people do call the health department when they are bitten by a dog or cat, they do not always call when their pets come in contact with other animals, Gulley said.

For more information, call the health department at 396-6970.