Three Northwest officers attacked by rabid raccoon, officials say

Three people in northwestern Washington have been attacked by a rabid raccoon, health officials said.

In a statement released Monday evening, the city's health department said the raccoon had been captured "after attacking three people in the Chevy Chase neighborhood."

The animal was humanely euthanized, the health department said. Tests at the city's public health laboratory determined that the animal was infected with the rabies virus.

According to the health department, it was confirmed that two pets were exposed to the animal, in addition to the three people.

The specific nature of the attack could not be learned. It was not clear whether the three people were bitten, or when and where. Bites are the most common form of transmission of rabies virus from animals to humans.

DC's animal control officers were warned on Monday that the raccoon had been spotted near Nebraska Avenue and 32nd Street, the health department said. He was captured at 2:10 pm the ministry said. The site is a residential area with many trees about half a mile west of Rock Creek Park.

The rabies virus is transmitted by saliva or brain and nervous tissue, according to information published on the website of the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The most common means of transmitting rabies virus is the bite of an infected animal.

It is also possible that the virus is transmitted if the saliva of an infected animal comes into contact with an open cut or with mucous membranes such as eyes or mouth, the CDC said.

According to the health department, it was confirmed that two pets were exposed to the animal, in addition to the three people.

The pets received a veterinary evaluation, received a booster dose of the vaccine and were confined, said the health department.

People started receiving treatment soon after to prevent infection. If it is not treated, the rabies is fatal.

Raccoons are among the animals most frequently infected with rabies virus. Skunks, bats, coyotes and foxes are among the animal carriers.