Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: July 22, 2004
CONTACT: Helen Drew, 222-1016

Rabid Raccoon at East Providence Animal Shelter, Vaccine Recommended for Exposed Persons

The Department of Health has confirmed that the East Providence Animal Shelter harbored a group of 6 baby raccoons in a pen on their premises since July 1. One of the raccoons became ill and has tested positive for rabies. The other five have tested negative. Though the pen was kept locked and not freely accessible to the general public, employees at the shelter, volunteers and a few of their family members had significant exposure to the raccoons. City of East Providence employees and their families with access to a restricted parking lot behind the shelter also had possible contact with the raccoons. It is possible that other members of the public may also have petted the raccoons through the chain-link enclosure. Approximately 30 to 50 individuals may have been exposed to the animals. Pets adopted from the shelter were not exposed to the raccoons, and pose no threat to the families who adopted them. DEM ordered the closure of the East Providence Animal Shelter on Wednesday evening, and the facility will remain closed until further notice.

The Department of Health is recommending that any member of the public who had any contact with the baby raccoons between July 1 and July 19 undergo a risk evaluation and be assessed for their need for vaccination. They may do so by 

1. Calling the Office of Communicable Disease at 222 2577 (after hours call 272 5952) to be evaluated for their exposure risk and to be assessed for their need for vaccination or 

2. By attending a rabies risk assessment and rabies vaccination clinic to be held at the E. Providence Senior Center at 610 Waterman Avenue between 2pm and 6pm on Friday, July 23rd. No appointment is necessary. A rabies vaccination series will be administered for all those determined to be at any risk.

The raccoon strain of rabies virus is widespread among wildlife in Rhode Island. The rabies virus is transmitted to humans through exposure to the saliva of a rabid animal. The disease can be transmitted to humans when infected animal saliva enters the human body through a penetrating bite injury. There is a remote chance of infection if infected saliva comes into contact with scratches, mucous membranes, or open wounds. Rabies is an infection of the brain and nerves and is uniformly fatal in humans. Fortunately vaccination after exposure with five relatively painless shots in the arm and one injection of rabies immunoglobulin is 100% effective in preventing rabies infection.

To prevent rabies exposures, HEALTH recommends three easy steps:

• Vaccinate your pets.
• Avoid touching, feeding or any contact with wild or unfamiliar animals
• Keep garbage in sturdy cans with tight-fitting lids and animal proof your homes.

For more information on animal and human rabies see http://www.health.ri.gov/topics/rabies.htm