Feral cat found in East Pittsburgh tests positive for rabies

A feral cat picked up recently in East Pittsburgh has tested positive for rabies, according to the Allegheny County Health Department.

The cat was picked up in the 600 block of Linden Ave. The health department said the incident occurred “recently.”

It is the fourth positive rabies case in Allegheny County this year, the health department said. One bat, one groundhog and one raccoon have also tested positive for rabies in 2020.

Rabies is a viral disease transmitted by an animal bite or scratch and is almost always fatal if left untreated, according to the health department.

A person who has been bitten, scratched or exposed to the saliva of an animal thought to be rabid should wash the area, seek medical treatment and call the health department at 412-687-2243 to file a report.