FOLEY, Ala. — Two weeks after authorities reported finding a rabid raccoon in Foley, another was discovered in the city.

According to a Facebook posting by Foley Police, officers found a raccoon at Foley First Baptist Church on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Foley Police Code Enforcement Officer Darryl Clevenger explained that in mid-September, the first rabid raccoon was found in the south-central part of Foley, south of U.S. Highway 98, while this second one was located north of U.S. 98 and west of Alabama Highway 59.

“Both of them tested positive for rabies,” he said, adding that the two raccoons had been humanely euthanized.

Those tests were performed at the Baldwin County Health Department from blood samples taken by Dykes Veterinary Clinic.

“We sent off a third one that was being tested for rabies,” Veterinarian Dr. David Dykes said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.

However, he said several hours later, test results indicated that the third raccoon did not have rabies.

According to Clevenger, an occasional rabid animal in the area is not unusual, as such wild animals as bats and vermin. However, he and Dykes agree that finding two rabid raccoons within two weeks of each other is uncommon.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Dykes said, “and I’ve been here 30 years.”

This second incident has increased animal control’s security measures in the Forward City.

“We’re monitoring the situation closely,” Clevenger said. “We’re all being a little more cautious.”

He added that a second code-enforcement officer has joined him in looking out for rabid animals.

Clevenger pointed out that residents should not approach a wild animal if they see one. Instead, they should call Foley Police.

“If you see a raccoon in the daytime, that’s not good,” he said.

Clevenger added that aggression in an unfamiliar animal is an indication that it could be rabid and residents should stay away.

Also, measures should be taken to protect pets.

“If you have outside animals, watch out for them,” Clevenger said. “Don’t leave food outside for them.”

The law-enforcement officer explained that this would lessen the possibility of attracting a rabid animal.

According to State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee W. Jones, “The concern with the second positive in such a small geographical area means that it increases potential exposure to humans and domestic animals, especially in densely populated areas.” He also explained, “It is not uncommon to get clusters of rabies infections within an endemic area, and such occurrences are not indicative of rabies becoming more prevalent, widespread or more dangerous.”

Jones added that the following precautions should be taken to avoid possible exposure to rabies:

• Do not allow pets to run loose; confine them within a fenced-in area or with a leash.

• Do not leave out uneaten pet food or scraps around your house.

• Do not illegally feed or keep wildlife as pets.

• Don’t go near domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.

• Instruct children not to go near any non-domesticated animal regardless of its behavior.

• Advise children to tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal.

Jones said that a person who is bitten or scratched by an animal should wash wounds immediately with mild soap and water, apply first aid, and seek medical attention or contact the county health department as soon as possible. Rabies is preventable in humans exposed to a positive animal if special medical treatment is provided in a timely manner.

Avoiding direct contact with wildlife is the primary protection from rabies. In addition, vaccinating domesticated animals also reduces the risk of exposure to rabies, Jones said. Rabies vaccination not only protects the animals from rabies, it helps protect the owners, family members, and other pets as well.

Alabama state law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets must be kept current with rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccines are also available for horses and other livestock if recommended by a veterinarian.