EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect a change in the number of people treated.
WASHINGTON — Four people have been treated as a precaution for rabies at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, after suffering raccoon bites Wednesday.
They were treated in the hospital’s emergency department and released, the D.C. Department of Health Department said.
The hospital at one point said that a fifth person had been treated, but on Friday corrected that to say four.
The Department of Health said at least one of those people was bitten near the intersection of 31st and R streets Northwest in Georgetown, and animal control officers are patrolling in that area.
It’s not clear yet whether or not all four people encountered the same raccoon in the same area.
The health department is urging anyone who had contact with a raccoon in D.C., and especially in Northwest, to call a doctor and inform the health department.
That’s because rabies can kill humans if not treated quickly.
Since the animal has not been found, it’s not known whether it had rabies.
Anyone who has had contact with a raccoon in D.C., especially in Northwest, is being urged to call their doctor and the health department.
The city has more information about rabies on its website.
