BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore health officials say a raccoon that was thrown out of a car in the city has tested positive for rabies.

The health department said in a statement Friday that it's important for the driver or passengers of the vehicle to contact the department so they can be examined for possible exposure to rabies.

The raccoon was thrown from a silver sedan in east Baltimore on Wednesday.

Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It's usually spread through the bite of an infected animal and can be deadly.