Los Angeles County public health officials say a raccoon with rabies has been identified in Westlake Village, marking the first confirmed case in more than 50 years. The county warns residents not to touch wild animals and to contact health authorities if there is possible exposure.
Officials say the raccoon appeared ill but was not aggressive. They report that four people and a dog may have been exposed after contact at a backyard work site. The Los Angeles Times and other outlets describe the incident as the first case since 1973, while reporting that the response focuses on assessing potential exposure and urging precautions to protect people and pets.
Across the coverage, the central points are the confirmed rabies diagnosis, the location in Los Angeles County, the long gap since the last such case, and the possibility of exposure involving specific individuals and a pet.
