Raccoon Captured Near City Hall Tests Positive for Rabies

A raccoon that was captured in front of Newport City Hall on Broadway on Saturday has tested positive for rabies and several people may have had contact, the state Department of Health announced Monday night.

Anyone who had contact with the raccoon should call the health department immediately at 401-222-2577.

What is “contact” with a rabid racoon? A bite, scratch, or raccoon saliva touching an open wound, eyes, nose or mouth, the health department said in a release.

Health department officials will assess each person’s level of contact with the animal and determine if there has been potential rabies exposure. If an exposure determination is made, treatment will be recommended.

“Without proper treatment for rabies exposure, rabies can develop and the infection is virtually always fatal,” the health department said in a release. “When administered properly, post-exposure treatment for rabies will prevent any person who was exposed to the virus from developing the disease and prevent death.

The exact location where the raccoon was capture was by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus stop in front of City Hall and near Thompson Middle School.

The Health Department is also recommending that anyone with pets that might have been in contact with the raccoon near this location contact the Newport animal control officer at 401-847-1306 or the state Department of Environmental Management environmental police at 401-222-3070.