Los Angeles County confirmed a second rabid raccoon in Westlake Village, renewing exposure warnings and urgent pet-vaccine reminders.
Story Highlights
- County confirmed a second rabies-positive raccoon near the first case in Westlake Village.
- Officials said the animal looked sick and aggressive, prompting public warnings.
- Two workers may have been exposed and are getting preventive treatment.
- Strain testing for the second raccoon is pending; pet vaccination urged.
What Officials Confirmed This Week
Los Angeles County’s public health department reported a second rabies-positive raccoon in the Westlake Village area on October 23, 2026. The animal was found in a backyard near the site of the first confirmed case reported earlier this month. Officials said the raccoon appeared sick and aggressive, which triggered a public notice and safety reminders. The department stated that two people at a worksite may have been exposed and are receiving post-exposure care for rabies as a precaution.
County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis urged residents to avoid wildlife, call animal control for sick or unusual animal behavior, and keep pets current on rabies shots. The county said no residents or pets were reported exposed in this incident, while noting the possible exposure of two workers. The department emphasized that simple steps like leashing dogs and securing trash can cut contact with wildlife, which reduces the chance of bites or scratches that spread rabies.
How This Case Fits Recent Local History
The first raccoon found in Westlake Village tested positive for a rabies variant usually found in bats, according to earlier county advisories. That result helped justify extra vigilance in the same neighborhood after a second sick raccoon appeared. For the second animal, the county said strain testing is still pending. That means experts have not yet confirmed whether it carries the same bat-linked variant or a different source of infection.
Public health teams often act before every lab detail is final. Rabies can be deadly if untreated, so doctors and nurses start preventive care fast when a bite or high-risk contact is possible. Across the United States, public health agencies report around 4,000 rabid animals each year, mostly wildlife. Strong prevention keeps human deaths under ten per year, even as many people seek care after possible exposure and about 100,000 receive post-exposure treatment.
Why Precaution Matters Even When Details Are Pending
Doctors use post-exposure steps to stop rabies before it starts. That care can include cleaning wounds, a dose of immune globulin, and a short vaccine series. Starting early protects health while labs confirm what strain is present. County messages in this case follow that model: warn the public, check exposures, treat those at risk, and share updates when test results arrive. That approach balances caution with facts and keeps panic low while the science catches up.
Two people are receiving emergency preventive rabies treatment after exposure to a raccoon at a Westlake Village worksite. It is Los Angeles County’s second confirmed rabid raccoon since 1973. No pets were exposed in this incident.
The sick, aggressive animal was found in a… pic.twitter.com/JdIyBu4o7I
— HeyDay News (@heyday_news) October 24, 2026
For local families, the guidance is clear and practical. Keep distance from wildlife. Do not touch sick or dead animals. Call animal control if you see odd behavior like stumbling, daytime activity in nocturnal species, or aggression without cause. Make sure dogs and cats have current rabies shots. These steps are simple, low-cost, and proven to guard homes and neighborhoods. They also help animal control track cases faster, which protects the wider community.
What To Watch Next In Westlake Village
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