LIBERTY – A raccoon in the Wurtsboro area has tested positive for the rabies virus, the Sullivan County Department of Public Health has confirmed.

This is the third confirmed human exposure incident involving a laboratory-confirmed rabid animal this year. These are only animals that were able to be tested after being in contact with a human.

Rabies occurs commonly throughout New York, with the cast majority of cases occurring in raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks and woodchucks.

Signs of rabies in wild animals include:

Aggressive, uncharacteristic behavior, such as attacking objects or people

Losing fear of humans (acting uncharacteristically friendly)

Difficulty walking or staggering

Paralysis of the legs or jaw, loss of coordination

Difficulty swallowing and a fear of water

Drooling

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