Photo: File
Marion County Environmental Health has confirmed that a coyote tested positive for rabies after biting a man at a Gervais area farm earlier this week.
The man reported that the coyote walked up, sniffed him, and then bit him on the leg. The man and an acquaintance shot the coyote then sought medical treatment following the bite. Marion County Environmental Health staff members responded to the site of the incident and collected the coyote for testing at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory. Test results received late Tuesday confirmed rabies.
The man was treated with a rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, which consists of a series of injections, and was released.
Coyotes are rarely found with rabies. Only three coyotes have tested positive for the disease in the past 10 years in Oregon. Marion County Environmental Health officials remind people that they should avoid feeding or approaching wild animals.
For more information, contact the Marion County Public Health at (503) 588-5346 or visit http://www.co.marion.or.us/HLT/PH/EHS/vector/Pages/rabies.aspx.
The Oregon Health Authority has additional information regarding rabies on their on-line diseases guide at https://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/Pages/disease.aspx?did=41.