First rabid animal of 2020 confirmed in local borough

PITTSBURGH — The first rabid animal of the year was confirmed by officials with the Allegheny County Health Department.

Agency officials said a raccoon was picked up near Jacks Run Road and White Oak Park in White Oak Borough and brought to the Health Department for testing.

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People living in the area are reminded to keep an eye out for unusual behavior in animals, make sure pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, and notify local animal control or the PA Game Commission immediately if any animal appears to be acting strange or becomes threatening.

Any individual who is bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to saliva from an animal should immediately cleanse the contact area with soap and water, seek emergency medical treatment and call the ACHD (412-687-2243) to report the incident.

This is the first animal in Allegheny County to test positive for rabies in 2020.

Preliminary results indicate 25 animals tested positive for rabies in the county in 2019, including 18 raccoons, five (5) bats and two (2) cats.

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