Raccoon that scratched midcoast woman had rabies

A raccoon that scratched a Nobleboro woman in early July was confirmed positive for rabies after testing by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Maine CDC Field Epidemiologist Megan Kelley confirmed that “the patient was scratched” but did not share information about where or when the attack occurred, saying that it was CDC policy not to share identifying information in such cases.

“Since raccoons use their hands for cleaning, washing their food, and eating, that’s considered a rabies exposure,” she said.

The virus that causes rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Post-exposure treatment should begin within a matter of days, because it is no longer effective after symptoms begin, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Though its prevalence varies by region, exposure is fairly common, Kelley said.

“It happens a lot,” she said. “We have a lot of human and domestic animal interaction with wild animals, and we do a lot of testing … it comes in cycles, too.”

People can reduce the risk of coming into contact with a rabid animal by keeping a respectful distance from all wildlife and contacting the appropriate authorities when rabies is suspected, Kelley said.

In the case of suspected rabies exposure, contact a health care provider and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 207-287-8000.