Rabid Raccoon Found in Wayland

A raccoon obtained in the Happy Hollow Road area has tested positive for rabies.

The Wayland Health Department made the announcement Thursday in a press release. According to the release "when an animal tests positive for rabies it is likely that there are other animals in the area that are carrying the disease."

In fact, the Wayland Police log records that officers euthanized two raccoons on May 14 after callers spotted the animals and reported them as looking sick. One of the raccoons was found on Oak Hill Road and the other on Hampshire Road, according to the log. It is unclear whether either of these animals is the one that tested positive for rabies.

"When an animal tests positive for rabies it is likely that there are other animals in the area that are carrying the disease," reads the press release from the Wayland Health Department. "Rabies is a serious disease that is usually a disease of animals but it can spread from an infected animal to a person."

Rabies is spread when an infected animal bites another animal or person.

"Residents should not approach any wild or stray animals and report any animal that behaves oddly to the police department," the press release continues.

As additional precautions, the Wayland Health Department recommends owners keep pets inside a fence or on a leash and avoid feeding and watering their pets outdoors. All pets should also be kept up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations., and all garbage cans should be closed and secured to avoid attracting wildlife.

More information about rabies is available on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website.