Raccoon Bites Two People in Old Town Alexandria, Health Officials Say Two people were bitten by a raccoon in Old Town Alexandria, according to health officials. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when the raccoon bit two individuals who were in the area. The victims' identities have not been released. The bites are considered minor and do not pose a significant risk of infection or serious harm. However, health officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid encounters with wild animals. Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies, distemper, and leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to humans through bites or contact with contaminated urine, feces, or saliva. While the risk of transmission is low, it is important for people to take steps to prevent interactions with raccoons. Health officials are working to trap and remove the raccoon that was involved in the incident. In the meantime, residents and visitors are advised to keep a safe distance from any wild animals they may encounter.#Raccoon #Old_Town_Alexandria #Health_Officials

Raccoon Bites Two People in Old Town Alexandria, Health Officials Say Two people were bitten by a raccoon in Old Town Alexandria on Saturday, according to health officials. The incident occurred around 10:30 pm near the intersection of King Street and Duke Street. The victims, whose identities have not been released, were taken to a local hospital for treatment and are expected to recover. The raccoon was captured and removed from the area by wildlife control services. According to the Alexandria Health Department, both victims received minor injuries from the bites. They were bitten on their arms and hands, but did not suffer any serious harm. Health officials say that rabies testing is currently being conducted on the raccoon to determine if it had contracted the virus. If the test comes back positive, those who were bitten will need to receive a series of shots as a precautionary measure. The incident serves as a reminder for residents and visitors to be aware of their surroundings when walking in areas where wildlife may be present. The Alexandria Health Department recommends taking precautions such as keeping food and trash secure and not approaching or feeding wild animals. This is not the first time that raccoons have caused problems in Old Town Alexandria. In 2019, a group of raccoons was seen rummaging through trash cans on Duke Street, causing concern among local business owners.#Old_Town_Alexandria #Alexandria_Health_Department #King_Street #Duke_Street
