First Rabid Raccoon in LA County in Over 50 Years Triggers Health Alert

Los Angeles County has identified its first rabid raccoon in more than five decades, prompting health officials to warn residents to avoid contact with wildlife.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said four individuals and a dog were possibly exposed at a Westlake Village worksite. The raccoon was visibly unwell but did not display aggression.

Rabies, transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals, causes tens of thousands of human deaths worldwide each year, primarily in Africa and Asia, and is nearly always fatal once clinical signs develop. In the United States, fewer than ten deaths occur annually thanks to strong prevention programs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Los Angeles County health officials advise residents to keep a safe distance from wildlife and to contact local animal control if they encounter a sick, injured, or unusually behaving animal. They also stress the importance of keeping pets’ rabies vaccinations current.

Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County’s health officer, emphasized, “Finding rabies in a raccoon serves as a critical reminder to never touch, handle, or feed any wild animals, even if they appear healthy.”

Those potentially exposed have begun post-exposure prophylaxis, including a series of vaccinations. The dog, which was current on its rabies shot, is recovering well while under quarantine, the health department reported.

The specific rabies variant has not been identified, though officials suspect it may have originated from a bat. The county’s last confirmed rabid raccoon case dates back to 1973, and the most recent non‑bat rabies case was a skunk in 2014, according to the health department.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported a record 69 rabid bat cases this year—the highest ever recorded. Infected bats have been detected countywide, representing nearly one‑third of all bats submitted for rabies testing.

“While bat rabies detections can fluctuate annually, Los Angeles County has observed a consistent upward trend over the past decade,” the department noted.

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