WELLSBURG – A pair of positive rabies cases in the area is causing concern for Brooke County health officials.

The Brooke County Health Department reported Tuesday a raccoon found in the Bethany area had tested positive for rabies. This is the second raccoon to test positive for the disease in the Bethany area in the last six months, according to Health Department Director Mike Bolen.

A third raccoon, in the Castleman’s Run area of Ohio County near the Brooke County line, also has tested positive recently, Bolen noted.

“Usually we get one case every five to seven years,” Bolen said, noting three cases taking place in such a short amount of time, as well as being close geographically, is a concern.

The Brooke County Health Department is partnering with county animal control officials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other health departments in the region to target animal testing in the area.

“We’ve been doing a lot more testing in the last few months,” Bolen said.

Rabies is a viral disease that is fatal if treatment does not begin before symptoms appear, noted Bolen. It is transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal.

Health officials ask residents to report any animal showing potential signs of the disease to the Brooke County 911 Dispatch Center at (304) 737-3660.

Officials also advise residents to make certain their pets are vaccinated against rabies, to avoid wild animals, and to keep garbage and pet food secured if stored outside.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)