Two Maine towns are telling residents to exercise caution after confirmed cases of rabies were reported in raccoons.
The Maine Centers for Disease Control notified the town of Howland last week that a confirmed case of rabies in a raccoon has been identified.
Deer Isle officials also say they have confirmed a case of a rabid raccoon along with several unconfirmed cases of potentially rabid raccoons.
Deer Isle says these reports are widespread, according to WABI-TV.
Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord, mostly in wildlife, rarely in humans.
The virus spreads when a rabid animal’s saliva or neural tissue enters the body through a bite, scratch, or contact with the eyes, mouth, nose, or an open cut.
As of Sept. 30, Maine had reported 30 rabies cases so far this year, with most cases occurring in raccoons, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The highest numbers have been in Cumberland, Kennebec, and Waldo counties.
Lisbon Police last month said a raccoon had tested positive for rabies.
Last year, the state reported 61 rabies cases, with the highest numbers in Kennebec, Cumberland, and Androscoggin counties.
