Tests find first raccoon rabies case in Hamilton County in 10 years

Back in December, along Prigmore Road someone found a dead raccoon. East Ridge Animal Services submitted it for testing. The results confirmed a positive case of Raccoon Variant Rabies, which is the first in Hamilton County since 2008.

At the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, Bonnie Deakins, the director of environmental health, says preventative measures are put in place.

“We have had wildlife services with USDA dropping the oral rabies vaccine baits and that is proven very effective. That is why it has been so long, I think since we’ve seen any raccoon variant rabies,” Deakins said.

They pay attention to wild animals in the area.

“All of the animal control agencies and the health department here, we are very much on the lookout for suspicious animals that might be rabid,” Deakins said.

If someone is bitten by a rabid animal they can be given a post vaccination series to stop the virus from developing.

“It is preventable however if they are not reported or for some reason don’t get the treatment, it is a fatal disease. That is why the reporting is so important,” Deakins said.

In light of this case, experts say residents shouln’t panic, but there are certain measures they can take.

“So we always say don’t approach wild animals, make sure you keep your pets vaccinated against rabies. It sets the best barrier between people and rabies and the wild animal population, which is where we see it,” Deakins said.

EAST RIDGE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Tests have come back on a raccoon found in East Ridge just after Christmas.

The adult male was found dead on Prigmore Road on December 28th.

Now the CDC confirms that it did have rabies.

No humans or pets had come in contact with the raccoon.

But this is the first Raccoon Variant Rabies (RVR) case in Hamilton County since 2008.

There are two things you can do to protect your family from the spread of rabies.

— “never approach, attempt to capture or pet wildlife”

— “If your dog, cat or ferret does not have a current rabies vaccination, please contact your veterinarian.”

And for those of you in the East Ridge area, if you see a sick raccoon, fox or coyote, contact the East Ridge Animal Shelter at 423.664.0271 or non-emergency dispatch at 423.622.1725.