Orange County Animal Services has recently received a positive rabies test, according to the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health. This incident involved a raccoon and occurred near Lilac Drive in Carrboro, NC. For more information and statistics about rabies in North Carolina, visit The North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS).
This case originated on December 23, when a resident’s dogs had an altercation with the raccoon. Animal Control retrieved the raccoon for rabies testing. Animal Control urges people to be cautious about interactions with wildlife or any unfamiliar animals when spending time outdoors, and make sure pets are current on their rabies vaccinations. Rabies is a fatal viral infection. Your veterinarian is the best source of information on vaccinations for your pet.
HOW IS POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO RABIES HANDLED?
- PEOPLE: When needed, a communicable disease expert from the Orange County Health Department evaluates the risk of rabies exposure to humans. A decision about the post-exposure prophylaxis that protects people from rabies is based upon an assessment of all the factors involved in the situation. Rabies spreads to people and animals via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes, mouth, or open wounds).
- PETS: When there is “a reasonable suspicion of exposure,” a dog, cat, or ferret with a valid rabies vaccination history must receive a booster shot within 96 hours (4 days). By contrast, an unvaccinated cat or dog must either be euthanized or quarantined for a period up to four (4) months (or six (6) months for a ferret).
- LIVESTOCK: The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services is contacted about any livestock that may have exposure to rabies.
In North Carolina and other areas, rabies is commonly found in raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, wolves, groundhogs, and beavers. A host species of rabies in our own region and others is the bat. In our country, most cases of rabies in humans have been traced to bats. If there is any possibility of exposure from a bat, it is critical that citizens immediately contact their animal control program. If an incident involving a bat – or other rabies vector, such as a raccoon or skunk – should occur outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer should be reached right away through Emergency Communications (9-1-1).
DID YOU KNOW?
- Rabies virus can be transmitted through secondary saliva exposure when handling an animal, so do not touch your pet without gloves if it has had any possible exposure to rabies.
- It is a law in North Carolina that dogs, cats and ferrets older than four months must have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.
- If a rabies suspect animal is alive, do not attempt to capture the animal. Keep visual contact with the animal until an Animal Control Officer arrives.
- If you discover a bat inside your house, be sure not to release it, but do remove yourself and any animals from the area.
- Always call Animal Control immediately if you find a bat in your home even if there is no evidence of a bite.
- For more information on preventing conflicts with wildlife, visit https://www.ncwildlife.org/connect/have-wildlife-problem.
For any general concerns or questions about wildlife that do not involve exposure to rabies, Animal Services recommends contacting the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Helpline at 866-318-2401. For more information about Orange County Animal Services, visit www.orangecountync.gov/AnimalServices or call 919-942-7387.