Overview
- County health officials confirmed a second rabies-positive raccoon in Westlake Village and said the animal appeared sick and aggressive.
- The second raccoon was found near the first case and two people at a nearby worksite are receiving recommended rabies post-exposure treatment.
- The first raccoon tested positive for a rabies variant typically found in bats and public health labs are running strain testing on the new animal to determine its origin.
- Officials said no pets were exposed to the second raccoon and urged residents to avoid contact with wildlife, report sick animals to animal control, and keep pet rabies vaccinations current.
- This marks only the county’s second raccoon case in more than 50 years and comes as Los Angeles County has confirmed a record 77 rabid bats so far this year, a trend that could affect future spillover risk.