Increased Safety Concerns Due to Augusta Rabies Case

As the weather becomes warm, people and animals alike, shed their winter hideouts and come out into the open. However, officials warn residents about rabid animals in Central Maine, including the one that bit a 73-year-old woman in Augusta. While the raccoon that bit the woman was found and neutralized, it tested positive for rabies.

"What is concerning, obviously, is the raccoon bit a human being, but it is also concerning that it was in such close proximity to businesses and schools and gatherings of people and animals, over a fairly large footprint," said Hillary Roberts, executive director of Kennebec Valley Humane Society. "It's a good reminder to make sure your pets are vaccinated and for people to not interact with wildlife."

Even though it was the first animal to be tested positive for rabies in Kennebec County in 2016, there are many other wild animals spotted in central Maine area, showing signs of the disease, said local animal control officers.

John Martins, public health information officer for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, said "Winter is over and more wild animals and people are much more likely to be out," he said, explaining why the number of rabies cases is higher at that time of year.

"With the warmer weather, you get more people out walking their dogs and spending more time outside as temperatures warm up," Roberts said.

Francois Roodman, Augusta's animal control officer, said ever since the rabies infested raccoon was spotted and killed, the police have found other two animals showing similar signs.

The people that are bitten by rabid animals are treated with a combination of a vaccine and immunoglobulin shots. The intensity of the shots depends on whether or not the person has been vaccinated for rabies in the past, and of course their overall health, said Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention's fact sheet for rabies.