Apr 25, 2018 1 min read

The Allegheny County Health Department announced that a second raccoon has tested positive for rabies in the South Hills.

The dead raccoon, which was killed by a dog in the 5500 block of Florida Avenue in Bethel Park, was brought to the health department’s facilities April 21 and tested positive for rabies. The dog was vaccinated for rabies before the encounter, the health department said.

“All residents should avoid any kind of contact with wild or stray animals, especially those in the Bethel Park area where the rabid raccoon was located,” health department Director Karen Hacker said.

A dead raccoon found in the 1200 block of Glencoe Avenue in Green Tree tested positive for rabies in March.

Anyone who sees an animal acting strangely or becoming threatening should immediately contact animal control, their local police department or the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Anyone who is bitten, scratched or exposed to saliva from a stray or wild animal should immediately cleanse the contact area with soap and water before seeking emergency medical treatment. The Allegheny County Health Department also should be notified of the incident by calling 412-687-ACHD.