LA County Finds First Rabid Raccoon in 50 Years

Los Angeles County health officials said they found a rabid raccoon in a backyard. It was the first such case in more than fifty years. The animal looked sick but did not act aggressively toward anyone. Officials said the discovery started an immediate investigation to protect the community and to learn how the virus arrived.

One dog that met the raccoon was up to date on its rabies vaccine, so it was placed in quarantine and is doing well. Four people may have touched the animal and are now receiving post‑exposure treatment. Health workers say the dog’s vaccine kept it safe, but anyone who might have been exposed should follow medical advice.

The last rabid raccoon in the county was recorded in 1973, and the previous non‑bat rabid animal was a skunk infected with the bat variant in 2014. Officials are waiting for lab tests to determine which rabies strain the raccoon carries, a process that can take weeks. Early clues point to a bat as the likely source, especially with a recent rise in rabid bat detections in 2026.

Officials tell people to stay away from wild animals, never handle or feed them, and to keep pets vaccinated since rabies is fatal once symptoms start. The virus spreads through bites, scratches, or contact with infected saliva on open wounds or the eyes, nose, or mouth. In people early signs include fever, weakness and headache, which can turn into tingling, anxiety, confusion, trouble swallowing, coma and death. Animals often show vomiting, breathing trouble before developing neurological signs such as circling, difficulty moving, aggression, paralysis and loss of coordination.