The second positive rabies test result of 2016 in Orange County has been confirmed by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health.

Orange County Animal Services officials say this incident originated from a Chapel Hill resident finding an injured raccoon on the roadside. The resident picked the raccoon up in a towel, according to a release, and transported the animal to a veterinary office.

Animal Control was called and removed the raccoon to have it tested for rabies. No domesticated animals were involved in the case, according to officials.

A communicable disease nurse from the Orange County Health Department is working to evaluate whether the resident is at risk of rabies. The release says the resident directly handled the towel the raccoon was in without gloves and possibly had open wounds on his hands at the time of handling.

Orange County reported a total of 10 positive cases last year, which was a drastic drop from the 23 cases in 2014.

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