A dead raccoon was discovered in East Ridge last month and tested positive for rabies, according to an East Ridge Animal Services news release.
On Dec. 28, an adult male raccoon was found dead on Prigmore Road. East Ridge Animal Services retrieved the animal and submitted it for rabies testing. USDA tested the animal for rabies and sent it to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for confirmation.
The CDC confirmed rabies and variant typed it to raccoon variant rabies. This is the first RVR case seen in Hamilton County since 2008.
Anyone who sees a raccoon, fox or coyote that looks sick should contact the shelter at 423-664-0271 or non-emergency dispatch at 423-622-1725.
The best protection against the rabies virus is to never approach, attempt to capture or pet wildlife and ensure that your pets have current rabies vaccinations.