Raccoons in Warwick Test Positive for Rabies

Published on Wednesday, September 02, 2026

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is alerting the public that two raccoons found in Warwick tested positive for rabies this week. One was found in the area of Walter Street, and the second was found in the area of Duncan Road. 

Both areas are more densely populated areas in Warwick. Three adults and two dogs from the Walter Street area were treated. Additionally, a dog was treated after having potential exposure to the raccoon on Duncan Road. 

Rhode Island has seen an elevated number of rabid animals in 2026. To date in 2026, 34 rabid animals have been identified in Rhode Island. This already exceeds the average annual number (24) of rabid animals reported between 2021 and 2025. In 2026, 43 people have been exposed to these rabid animals and received treatment in Rhode Island. The majority of the rabid animals caught this year have been in the northern region of the state. A full list of specimen collection dates and locations may be found on RIDOH’s Rabies Data Dashboard online under “Animal Rabies Mapping”. The majority of these animals were raccoons (20) and bats (10). Additionally, a rabid cat, coyote, skunk, and woodchuck have been found in Rhode Island this year. 

Rabies is a fatal disease if it is not treated before the onset of symptoms. Anyone who may have had direct contact with either raccoon should immediately call RIDOH's Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 401-222-2577 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 401-276-8046 after hours) so a nurse can assess your exposure and determine if you should receive treatment. If you think your pet may have come in contact with either raccoon, call RIDOH, your local Animal Control Officer, and your pet's veterinarian.  

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. Rabies treatment must be started as soon as possible after exposure and before symptoms appear.  

All dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by State law to have current vaccination against rabies. Vaccinating pets prevents them from getting rabies and prevents people from becoming exposed to rabies through their pets.  

RIDOH recommends the following to prevent rabies:  

• Make sure all dogs, cats, and ferrets are up to date on rabies vaccination.  
• Avoid all contact with and do not feed stray or free-roaming domestic animals.  
• Avoid all contact with and do not feed wild animals.  
• Do not feed your animals outdoors, as this will attract other animals. This is especially dangerous when feeding large numbers of free-roaming cats.  
• Protect your pets by always maintaining control; walk dogs on a leash or let them play in a fenced yard, and do not let pets wander unsupervised.  
• Report all animal bites to your city/town's animal control officer.  
• Securely cover all garbage cans so wild animals cannot scavenge for food.  

For more information, visit health.ri.gov/rabies.