SILVERHILL, Ala. — A Silverhill area raccoon has tested positive for rabies.

“The animal was brought in Thursday (Feb. 11) and a sample was sent for testing. We got the results today (Wednesday, Feb. 17),” said Charlotte Plumb, environmental supervisor with the Baldwin County Health Department.

The disease is almost always fatal to humans.

The raccoon was spotted by a pet owner, Plumb said, who believed his dogs had come into contact with the animal. The dogs had been vaccinated against rabies and were not bitten. Alabama state law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies, and the Baldwin County Animal Shelter offers a monthly vaccination clinic. The next clinic is Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to noon and shots are $10 each for dogs and cats. Call 972-6834 for more information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention operates a 24-hour information line at 877 554-4625.

The dogs that came in contact with the infected raccoon are under the supervision of a veterinarian, Plumb added.

“Normally raccoons stay away (from dogs and other creatures),” said Plumb.

But this raccoon was found with the dogs.

A second rabid raccoon was reported in the Robertsdale area on Monday.

According to a release from the Alabama Department of Public health, “The primary means of exposure (to rabies) is through a bite or a scratch with contaminated saliva contacting the wound.” Exposure to the virus can happen, the release adds, “if saliva contacts a mucous membrane such as the eye or mouth.”

The best way to deal with a rabid animal is to avoid it and call your local or county police.

Dr. Dee W. Jones, associate state public health veterinarian, said, in the ADPH release, "If a wild or stray animal is found around your home, it is best to contact animal control professionals."

“The most consistent clinical sign of rabies is an observable change in normal behavior,” the release says. “Any wild animal that suddenly appears friendly, docile or approach humans should be suspected of being infected.” Also, nocturnal animals such as raccoons or foxes that are seen in the daytime should be, “suspected of being ill and should be avoided.”

“Do not keep wild animals as pets, or try to raise baby wild animals. Not only do they not make very good pets and the survival rate of orphaned wildlife is low, but it is against Alabama law to keep wildlife or to have any canine or feline for which there is no approved rabies vaccine,”writes M. Keith Hudson a wildlife biologist on the “Outdoor Alabama” Web site.