MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The primary case of rabies in 2024 has been showed from a raccoon killed on belongings close to the Monongalia-Preston county line.
The Monongalia County Well being Division stated the landlord of the valuables off Gladesville Highway in Independence discovered the racoon preventing with a barn cat.
The raccoon was once killed and examined. Well being division officers stated it’s been showed as rabies.
Monongalia County had 4 of West Virginia’s 46 reported instances of rabies final 12 months, consistent with the yearly West Virginia Animal Rabies Surveillance Document from the state.
Rabies studies got here from 18 of the state’s 55 counties. 4 was once the absolute best selection of instances in any of the counties and that quantity was once additionally reported in Greenbrier, Hampshire and Mineral counties.
West Virginia regulation calls for canine and cats to be saved up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. If an unvaccinated puppy is attacked by way of a rabid animal, euthanasia is in most cases really useful.
“Vaccinating your pets additionally keeps you and your circle of relatives secure, in addition to the group,” Todd Powroznik, program supervisor of MCHD Environmental Well being, stated. “We additionally counsel spaying and neutering pets with a view to stay the selection of stray animals low.”
