More Upstate New York Residents Exposed To Fatal Disease

A wild animal in the Hudson Valley reportedly attacked a human, exposing that person to a disease that kills almost all without prompt treatment.

Upstate New York officials confirmed a human was exposed to rabies from a rabid animal.

Rabid Raccoon Confirmed In Sullivan County, New York

The Sullivan County Department of Public Health tells Hudson Valley Post that a raccoon in the Wurtsboro area tested positive for the rabies virus.

Officials also confirmed a human was exposed to the rabid raccoon.

"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," Sullivan County Department of Public Health told Hudson Valley Post.

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More details about the "human exposure incident" weren't released.

Health officials say humans can be exposed to rabies if saliva or nervous tissue from an infected animal gets into your system. That can happen through a bite, scratch, or even contact with broken skin, open wounds, or your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Rabies is a potentially fatal disease. The only way to get it is through a bite from a sick animal or saliva in an open wound, officials say.

"The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a potential rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death," the CDC states.

Animals in Which Rabies is Most Commonly Found

Rabies is most commonly found in these animals.

Once symptoms begin, rabies is nearly 100 percent fatal. Less than 10 people worldwide have survived after symptoms start.

"Rabies occurs commonly throughout New York State, with the vast majority of cases occurring in raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, and woodchucks. Avoiding contact is your absolute best way of protecting yourself from this fatal disease."

Rabies Vaccine Clinics In Sullivan County

A regularly scheduled vaccination clinic is being held on October 8 at the Monticello Firehouse. It is free to all Sullivan County residents,

Another free clinic is being planned for the Wurtsboro area. The date is still TBD.

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