Southwick’s Raccoon Rabies Case Prompts Community Safety Reminders

Residents of one of the most unique locations of the Connecticut/Massachusetts are on edge today after local animal control officers in Southwick, Massachusetts sent out a warning for local residents after a raccoon captured in town has tested positive for rabes.

According to westernmassnews.com, a raccoon that tested positive for rabies was captured over the weekend on Ferrin Drive in Southwick, Massachusetts. Rabies is a very serious disease, with a fatal outcome virtually guaranteed. Rabies is transmissible from animals to humans and it is spread through saliva. Transmission occurs when an infected animal bites another animal, or the infected saliva gets into your ears, nose, mouth, or open wound. According to mayoclinic.org, there is no effective treatment if the disease establishes, which makes the series of rabies shots that we've all heard of previously so essential.

What I've always heard was the treatment for rabies in humans involved a series of shots into your stomach, which according to the mayo Clinic isn't too far off. The first injection involves a fast-acting medication, while four follow-up injections over two weeks will happen into your arm. As previously stated, if rabies sets in, there is no effective treatment.

So, if you live along the Connecticut/Massachusetts border in the Southwich Jog, Granby, Windsor Locks, Springfield and Enfield, keep an extra eye on your pet if you take them out for a walk, stay away from any wild animals, especially those that appear be fearless or dazed by your presence.