Maine CDC Seeks Contacts After Rabid Raccoon Found in Wells

news

Published December 11th, 2025

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Maine CDC is seeking individuals who may have had direct contact with a raccoon found in Wells, Maine, that has tested positive for rabies. The agency is urging anyone who touched the animal to call a dedicated hotline for potential post-exposure treatment.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services' Maine CDC has issued a notice regarding a raccoon found in Wells, Maine, that tested positive for rabies. The agency is specifically seeking to identify and contact any individual who may have touched the animal, as direct contact with saliva or an infected animal can lead to rabies transmission. This notice serves as an alert and a call to action for potential exposures.

Individuals who touched the raccoon are strongly advised to call the Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821 immediately. Prompt post-exposure treatment is critical to prevent the development of rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The notice also provides general recommendations for rabies prevention, including avoiding contact with wild animals and ensuring pets are vaccinated.

What to do next

Individuals who touched the raccoon in Wells, Maine, should call Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821.
Review rabies prevention guidelines provided by the Maine CDC.
Ensure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.

Source document (simplified)

Raccoon in Wells Tests Positive for Rabies

Dec 11, 2025

Maine CDC seeks person with potential direct exposure

AUGUSTA -- The Maine Department of Health and Human Services' Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is asking anyone who touched a raccoon in Wells, Maine to call 1-800-821-5821.

On Monday, December 8, a strange-acting raccoon was reported to be near the intersection of Sanford Road and Evergreen Drive in Wells. An unidentified individual is reported to have touched the raccoon in an attempt to remove the animal from the roadway. Wells Police Department collected the raccoon, which later tested positive for rabies.

If you touched this animal, please call Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821. Anyone who touched this raccoon may need post-exposure treatment. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. Timely post-exposure treatment is critical to prevent development of rabies.

Rabies is a virus that infects the nervous system of humans and other animals. It spreads through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. It may also spread through direct contact with the animal's saliva on an open wound.

The Maine CDC recommends these steps to prevent rabies exposure:

Do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals. Be cautious of stray dogs and cats.
Do not move wildlife. This can spread rabies into new areas.
Keep garbage cans or other sources of food tightly secured.
Keep your pets' rabies vaccinations up to date.
Feed pets indoors.
Wash any bite or scratch wounds with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Who should you contact for rabies exposures?
If an animal bites or scratches you, contact your health care provider.
If an animal bites or scratches your pet, contact your veterinarian.
To report a dead or suspicious-acting animal in northern Maine, contact the USDA's Wildlife Services at 866-487-3297. In other parts of the state, contact the Maine Warden Service. Contact your local Animal Control Officer if a warden is not available.
For more information:
USDA Rabies webpage
Maine CDC Rabies webpage
USDA Wildlife Services: 1-866-487-3297
Maine CDC disease reporting & consultation line: 1-800-821-5821 (available 24/7)