The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, September 8, 1995              TAG: 9509080481
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                     LENGTH: Short :   25 lines

RACCOON TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES AT THE BEACH

A raccoon has tested positive for rabies - the third rabid animal to be identified in 10 days, the Health Department reported Thursday.

This brings the city's reported rabies cases this year to eight: six raccoons and two bats.

Health Department officials said the latest infected raccoon fought with a dog on Regatta Circle in Great Neck. The dog, which had current rabies vaccinations, will be confined for a 90-day observation.

Regatta Circle is a residential street surrounding a neighborhood park. The Health Department said about 18 dogs and numerous cats are kept as pets in the area.

KEYWORDS: RABIES by CNB