Maine Towns Urge Caution After Rabid Raccoons Reported

Following previously unconfirmed reports of potentially rabid raccoons, two Maine towns are now urging residents to exercise caution.

Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord, though human cases in the U.S. are very rare, while it remains common in wildlife, including here in Maine, according to the Maine CDC. The virus spreads when a rabid animal’s saliva or neural tissue enters the body through a bite, scratch, or contact with the eyes, mouth, nose, or an open cut.

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Two Maine towns are warning residents to be careful after confirmed cases of rabid raccoons were reported.

According to the Maine CDC and as reported by WABI TV5, Howland and Deer Isle advise keeping pets vaccinated and reporting any wild animals acting strangely to a local Game Warden.

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In Maine, the animals most likely to carry rabies are skunks, bats, foxes, and raccoons, though any mammal can be infected.

Rabies is very rare in small rodents like squirrels, rats, mice, and chipmunks, according to the Maine CDC—visit the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for more information.

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And there you have it! Cases of rabies in raccoons have been confirmed in Howland and Deer Isle.

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