Raccoons and rabies: what to know

A raccoon may look healthy while still requiring careful evaluation after close contact. Risk depends on what happened: a bite or scratch can break the skin, while saliva can reach an existing wound or the eyes, nose, or mouth. Simply seeing a raccoon, hearing one nearby, or touching intact fur is not the same as an exposure. Do not handle a sick, injured, or unusually tame raccoon.

Move away safely and wash a bite or scratch with soap and running water. Rinse splashes to the eyes or mouth with clean water. Avoid capturing the animal yourself; contact local animal-control or public-health services for safe guidance. Contact a medical service promptly and describe the raccoon’s behaviour, the contact, any broken skin, and whether the animal can be safely observed. The clinician can decide whether rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is appropriate.

Seek urgent care today for any raccoon bite, scratch, or saliva exposure to broken skin or mucous membranes. Emergency help is needed for severe bleeding, a deep facial wound, or symptoms such as confusion, difficulty swallowing, weakness, or breathing trouble. Do not wait for the animal to become ill or for symptoms to appear.

Ask how the wound should be cleaned, whether rabies prevention is indicated, and whether tetanus or other wound treatment should be reviewed. Share photographs only if they can be taken safely and without approaching the animal.