Raccoon tested positive for rabies in old Lyme

OLD LYME, CT – A raccoon located in the Long Acre Lane area of ​​Old Lyme tested positive for rabies on Wednesday, Aug. 27, according to a press release from Ledge Light District Health Director Stephen Mansfield.

Ledge Light advises people to avoid wild or stray animals.

"Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans," reads the statement from the Ministry of Health. "It is transmitted primarily by wild animals, but stray cats and dogs can also be infected and spread the virus."

The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. Rabies can be transmitted by scratches from infected animals or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, skin lesions or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. -we notice.