Waterford — The Waterford-East Lyme Animal Control is urging people to be vigilant after a resident was bitten by a rabid raccoon this week.

The agency posted a notice on its Facebook page Wednesday, saying that a person on Longview Avenue in Waterford was "attacked and bitten" Tuesday by a raccoon that later was captured and tested positive for rabies.

Rabies is caused by a virus that lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. It can be spread by scratches from infected animals or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, breaks in the skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth, etc., Ledge Light Health District said in a news release about the incident.

The neurological disease affects the brain and is deadly if not treated promptly, the post warns. Animals that are aggressive or appear to be "acting drunk" should immediately be reported to police or animal control officials. "Please make sure all your pets are current on their rabies vaccines," the animal control agency said in its Facebook post.

The person who was bitten is being treated, it said.