CONSTABLEVILLE — A raccoon in the town of West Turin has tested positive for rabies, the first confirmed case in Lewis County this year.

A Lewis County Public Health Agency news release reported there was no human contact with the animal.

The county agency on Wednesday received notification from the state Department of Health’s Wadsworth Laboratory that the animal was rabid.

Public Health officials recommend that people and their pets avoid contact with wild animals, particularly ones behaving abnormally, and that pets be kept up to date with rabies vaccinations.

Any county residents bitten by a potentially rabid animal should immediately wash the wound with soap and water, capture the animal if it can be done safely without direct contact and contact Public Health at 376-5453.

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