According to local health officials in two states, a young Massachusetts girl was recently attacked by a rabid North American raccoon.
Officers arrived at the girl’s home in Arlington last Wednesday following a call that a small child had been bitten by an animal. According to a Saturday news release from the city’s Arlington, when they arrived, the young woman was “seated in an ambulance and was given medical care by members of the Arlington Fire Department along with the child’s mother.”
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals that is mostly transmitted to humans by the bite of a rabid animal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases are found in animals such as raccoon, skunk, bat and fox. (iStock)
Officers investigated the scene and, according to NBC Boston, a 2-year-old girl was attacked by a “large North American raccoon” in the backyard of her home. According to the news release, the child’s mother was able to stop the attack and chase the animal before calling 911. The child survived the animal bites and scratches. She was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital and is expected to recover.
Initially, officers were unable to locate the animal but found it later that day. The North American raccoon bear they found was “lazy acting” and is believed to have attacked the baby, officials said.
Women take coronavirus more seriously than men: study
The animal was then legible and then tested for rabies, Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) officials later told Arlington Department of Health and Human Services people that the animal is positive for the virus.
New Hampshire offers treatment for rabies after being bitten by a hidden bat in iPad case, reports reports
The girl’s father told NBC Boston that his daughter had bites and itching on her face, arms and hands. He noted that tests confirmed that the animal was positive before his daughter was treated for rabies, which was decided with caution because rabies can be fatal if not treated.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals that is mostly transmitted to humans by the bite of a rabid animal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases are reported in animals such as raccoon, skunk, bat and fox. The virus attacks the central nervous system, leading to brain disease and death.
Early symptoms include fever, headache, weakness and discomfort, insomnia, restlessness, confusion and possible paralysis before progression. The disease can also cause hallucinations, agitation, hypersensitivity, difficulty swallowing, and fear of water.
Coronavirus cases 40 million infections worldwide
According to the CDC, death usually occurs in the early days of severe symptoms. The virus can be prevented in humans through immediate treatment.
“Rabies can make wild animals extremely aggressive towards humans and pets,” Health and Human Services’ Christine Bongiyorno said in a statement. “It’s always important to make sure you never approach or feed wild animals. Keeping your litter covered and not leaving pet food outside your home can be a helpful way to prevent unwanted wildlife from being attracted to our neighborhood.”
Click here for full coronavirus coverage
To reduce your risk of rabies, the CDC family recommends that pets be vaccinated against rabies, maintain pet control to reduce wildlife exposure, reduce the number of stray or natural animals strains, and also report any stray or sick animals under animal control. .
Alexandria Hayne of Fox News contributed to this report.
