Upper St. Clair Rabies Alert Issued

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA - A raccoon found in Upper St. Clair tested positive for rabies, the Allegheny County Health Department confirmed Friday. The animal was discovered near the intersection of Murdstone Road and Salem Drive.

It was the eighth rabid animal reported in Allegheny County so far in 2018. There have been four raccoons and four bats.

Rabies is a virus transmitted by an animal bite or scratch, and exposures due to a bite or scratch are almost always fatal when left untreated. Any individual who is bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to saliva from a stray or any other animal, should immediately cleanse the contact area with soap and water, seek emergency medical treatment and call the health department at 412-687-2243 to report the incident.

The health department cautioned county residents to always avoid stray animals and wildlife, even if they appear healthy, to avoid exposure to rabies. Residents should also have their pets vaccinated, and watch for unusual behavior. If any animal appears to be acting strange or becomes threatening, residents should notify their local animal control service, the police or the Pennsylvania Game Commission immediately.

File photo of raccoon via Shutterstock.

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