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Date: 6/17/2016
WESTFIELD – On June 9, a juvenile raccoon from the Kellogg Street area of Westfield tested positive for rabies by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory.
Raccoons are considered high-risk animals for the transmission of rabies, the virus can be passed through the animal’s saliva during human contact. Any individual who was exposed to the raccoon should immediately contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization 24/7 Program at 617-983-6800 for an individual assessment.
Once symptoms of rabies develop, the disease is always fatal. Depending on the nature and circumstances of your contact with the raccoon, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (vaccine) may be necessary. The vaccine series consists of four shots with the first dose administered promptly after the exposure and then again three, seven, and 14 days later.
Persons with altered immunocompetence should receive an additional dose of vaccine on day 28. Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) is administered only once to previously unvaccinated persons to provide immediate protection until the person responds to the vaccine by actively producing antibodies.
Persons previously vaccinated for rabies should receive two doses of vaccine with the first dose given as soon as possible after the exposure and a second dose three days later. RIG is not needed for these persons.