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JACKSON – The Northampton County Health Department is reporting that a raccoon located recently in the Pleasant Hill area has tested positive for rabies.

Confirmation about the rabid animal was relayed to the local health department on Tuesday of this week from the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health.

Northampton Health officials said no human was attacked or bitten by this rabid raccoon.

“Anytime a rabid animal is identified, we want to remind people to take precaution, avoid contact with wild animals, and to ensure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations,” said Megan Vick, Director of the Northampton County Health Department.

Rabies is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal or via contamination of open wounds or mucus membranes with potentially infectious material such as saliva. Rabies is a fatal yet preventable disease if post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is administered.

Rabies circulates within the wildlife population throughout the entire year. The following tips help prevent you and your family from being exposed to the rabies virus:

Avoid direct contact with wildlife, dead or alive. Do not approach, try to play with, touch, rescue, or treat wildlife. If you find a sick or injured animal, contact NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Avoid any animal displaying unnatural behavior. Wild animals are not usually friendly so be very careful if they approach you.

Do not try to separate fighting animals.

Feed your pets indoors. Leaving food outside will attract dogs, cats, and other wildlife into your yard.

Report all stray animals to Northampton County Animal Control at 252-534-2611. Stray animals may not have current rabies vaccinations.

If a person is bitten by an animal (domestic or stray), wash the bitten area immediately with soap and water, seek medical attention, and report the bite to Animal Control.

The Northampton County Health Department is holding its annual rabies clinics from 9:30 a.m. until 12 noon on the following dates and locations:

Sept. 7 at the Northampton Career and Technical Academy of Innovation (former NCHS-East High School), located at 750 NCHS-East Road, Conway.

Sept. 21 at Gaston Middle School, located at 400 Broughton Street, Gaston.

Rabies vaccinations during these clinics are free for Northampton County citizens and $5 per animal for out-of-county residents.

For more information or if you have questions regarding rabies, contact the Northampton County Health Department at (252) 534-5841, from 8:30 am until 5 pm, Monday through Friday.