Macon County Animal Services has confirmed a fifth case of rabies following the examination of a raccoon that was deemed potentially rabid by a county resident last week.
Animal services staff brought the raccoon back to the animal shelter where it was euthanized and sent for testing. Those tests confirmed the raccoon was positive for rabies.
“While rabies is endemic in skunks, raccoons and bats in North Carolina, the recent increase in the number of detected cases in Macon County does raise concern for our pets,” Macon County Animal Services Section Administrator Dr. Jimmy Villiard said. “We are actively coordinating with local veterinarians to offer low-cost rabies vaccine clinics to make sure the pets of Macon County are protected.”
Drive-thru rabies clinics have been scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on March 27 at East Franklin Elementary School, from 1 – 4 p.m. on March 27 at Mountain View Intermediate School and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 10 at Cartoogechaye Elementary School. For more information, call 828-349-2106.
Along with the five positive rabies cases thus far in 2021, Macon County also reported a rabies-positive raccoon in Dec. 2020 – the only confirmed rabies case for that year. Prior to the 2020 confirmed case, the last known previous case was found in a bat in 2018. Macon County has not had more than one positive rabies case in any year since 1999, until now.
Of the five confirmed cases in 2021, two were found in skunks and three in raccoons. There have not been any confirmed cases in domesticated pets.
“The most important thing pet owners can do to prevent their animal from getting rabies, is to be sure that their animal is up-to-date on their rabies vaccination,” MCPH public information officer Emily Ritter said. “In addition to being properly vaccinated, pet owners should keep cats and ferrets indoors, and keep their dogs under direct supervision when outside. Pet owners should make sure their animals are also spayed and neutered to reduce the number of unwanted pets that are not properly cared for or vaccinated regularly.”
Ritter added that citizens should also be sure to prevent rabies in themselves by leaving wildlife alone, washing animal bites and scratches with soap and water, and contacting their healthcare provider immediately if they are bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed to an animal who may be positive for rabies.
Left untreated, rabies can be fatal to both animals and humans.