LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A raccoon has tested positive for rabies in Louisa County's Bumpass area, according to state health officials. The Chickahominy Health District is notifying residents near Dunn Road and Dixie Belle Lane in Louisa's Bumpass area that a raccoon tested positive for rabies, according to a press release from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Authorities said the raccoon is no longer a threat to the public. If you have any information regarding exposures to this animal in the days leading up to Sept. Sunday, Sept. 20, you are asked to call the Hanover Health Department at 804-365-4313. Those calling after hours can contact Hanover County Animal Protection at 804-365-6140. Health officials are reminding residents to follow these guidelines to prevent rabies exposure: Vaccinate your pets Report all exposures to animals (usually bites and scratches) to your doctor and the local health department Enjoy wildlife from a distance — do not feed or encourage wild animals such as raccoons, skunks or foxes to visit your premises This comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a nationwide health alert warning of an uptick in exposures. VDH told 8News earlier in September that they have seen an increase in calls concerning potential rabies exposures, and many of those confirmed cases do involve a bat or a raccoon. Rabies cases are widespread across the state and show no substantial pattern of increases in certain places since the raccoon variant can end up affecting other wildlife. ...read more read less