EAST LYME—Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) has announced in a press release that on April 19, a raccoon found on Joyce Ct. in the Niantic section of East Lyme was tested and found to be positive for rabies. The public should rtherefore efrain from feeding or approaching any wild or stray animals.
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including people. It is spread mostly by wild animals, but stray cats and dogs may also become infected and spread the virus. The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. Rabies can be spread by scratches from infected animals or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, breaks in the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.)
If you have any questions or concerns, contact LLHD at 860-448-4882 or East Lyme Animal Control at 860-739-3419.
Ledge Light Health District serves as the local health department for Lyme and Old Lyme, along with East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, New London, North Stonington, Stonington and Waterford, Conn. As a health district, formed under Connecticut General Statutes Section 19a-241, LLHD is a special unit of government, allowing member municipalities to provide comprehensive public health services to residents in a more efficient manner by consolidating the services within one organization.