Rabid Raccoon Confirmed After Man Bitten

A Georgia resident's attempt to help an injured raccoon led to a potential rabies exposure. The man found the animal in the road and, concerned for its well-being, transported it against his chest for over an hour to a nature center, despite the animal being unrestrained within his coat. During the drive, the raccoon managed to bite the man on his face and hands.

Nature center staff met the man in the parking lot and urged him to seek medical attention, which he eventually did after significant insistence. The raccoon was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was euthanized and tested, confirming a rabies infection. The man's initial refusal to provide his name or contact information complicated public health efforts to ensure he received necessary treatment.

Rabies is nearly always fatal if untreated, with symptoms including hydrophobia and paralysis. Authorities emphasize the importance of contacting licensed wildlife rescuers for animals in distress, as raccoons can transmit serious diseases like rabies, roundworm, and leptospirosis to humans.