Deceased Raccoon with Rabies Discovered in Eastham with Porcupine Quills in its Muzzle and Arm
November 21, 2024 (Barnstable, MA) – On Sunday November 17, 2024, Wild Care staff in Eastham reported to USDA Wildlife Services the discovery of a dead raccoon on Smith Road in Eastham, near the entrance to their facility. Details are as follows:
- The deceased raccoon was discovered on the side of the road near the Wild Care entrance with porcupine quills in its muzzle and arm; a blue cloth had been draped over its backside.
- The situation was immediately reported to USDA’s Rabies Program Coordinator, Brian Bjorklund, who arranged for the raccoon to be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for rabies testing. DNA testing was conducted to help determine the raccoon’s region of origin.
- The Cape Cod & Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force was activated to distribute public outreach via web and social media, requesting that anyone with information regarding the raccoon’s initial location reach out to officials immediately.
- On November 20, 2024, CDC reported that the raccoon had tested positive for rabies.
- Raccoon variant rabies has not been detected on Cape Cod since 2021 when a rabies positive raccoon was discovered in Hyannis. That animal was found to have originated in Plymouth. Prior to 2021, the last case of raccoon variant rabies on Cape Cod was in 2013.
- Officials are still investigating this incident and are reporting all findings to the appropriate state, county, and town entities.
Healthy raccoons do not typically approach porcupines, so immediately upon discovery the raccoon was suspected to be rabid. It is important to note that porcupines are not common on Cape Cod. Wildlife experts suspect any porcupine sightings within the last 15 or so years are due to accidental translocation, for example, a juvenile porcupine was thought to come over on a shipment of Christmas trees in 2009. Therefore, it is likely that this raccoon was transported to Eastham from another location where it had contact with the porcupine.
While it is illegal to translocate wild animals, officials encourage anyone with information about this raccoon and its area of origin to contact Brian Bjorklund, Cape Cod and Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Program Coordinator, at (413) 537-9394 or send an email to CARE@capecod.gov. Any information, anonymous or otherwise, is welcomed and encouraged. Informants will not be penalized.
It is essential to rabies control efforts on Cape Cod that officials understand the raccoon’s origins and story. Knowing where the raccoon came from, how it was infected with rabies, and how it died are critical to remediation and prevention efforts. Any individual who may have touched or interacted with the animal should consult a physician regarding post-exposure prophylaxis as soon as possible.
Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of mammals. The virus is transmitted via direct contact with saliva (most commonly through a bite or scratch but can also enter broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal. In people, the disease can be prevented by getting appropriately treated after exposure; otherwise, the disease is almost 100% fatal. The animals that most commonly carry rabies in Massachusetts are raccoons, skunks, and bats.
The public should heed the following:
- Do not feed, touch, or interact with feral cats or other wild animals (even if they are deceased).
- Domestic animals who interact with wild animals or have wounds of unknown origin must be treated as if they have had a rabies exposure. Do not touch an injured pet with your bare hands; use gloves and a hose to wash your pet’s wounds. Even if you don’t see a bite or wound, there may be saliva from the rabid animal still on your pet.
- Call your veterinarian to help you determine if the animal needs medical attention.
- If an individual or pet is believed to have been exposed to a wild animal, please contact your doctor and inform your local health department to determine if post exposure prophylaxis is recommended.
- Animal bites by wildlife should be reported to the 24/7 Epidemiology Line (617) 983-6800 for risk assessment and coordination of the animal for rabies testing at the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory (MASPHL).
Additional guidance is available at Rabies educational materials and additional resources | Mass.gov. Updates will be provided as further information becomes available. Questions from concerned citizens should be directed to CARE@capecod.gov.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT:
Established under a Special Act of the Legislature in 1926, the Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment (BCDHE) provides regional public health and environmental health services throughout the 15 towns comprising Barnstable County. The Department manages several environmental, public health, and homeland security grants funded through state and federal resources. The Department’s primary mission is to protect public health and the environment and promote the physical and mental health and well-being of Barnstable County residents.
CAPE COD AND SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS RABIES TASK FORCE:
The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment works in partnership with the Cape Cod and Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force (CCSMRTF) to implement strategies to contain rabies and prevent its spread. These efforts include coordinating annual rabies clinics, distributing oral rabies vaccines, and raising public awareness through speaking engagements and health fairs.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Erika Woods, Interim Director
(508) 375-6620
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