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- Rabies spreads through bites or scratches; wild animals like raccoons, foxes, and bats can carry it.
- Dogs and cats should be vaccinated after 12 weeks, booster within one year, then every 1-3 years per veterinarian.
- Do not handle, feed, or intentionally attract wild animals; secure garbage and remove pet food at night.
- Never adopt or bring wild animals into your home; call a licensed rescue or animal services for assistance.
- If an animal bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Chatham County Animal Services at 912-652-6575 and Chatham County Environmental Health at 912-356-2160.
A bat in southwestern Chatham County has tested positive for rabies. The Chatham County Health Department’s Environmental Health office is reminding the community to avoid contact with unknown animals and make sure pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations.
On September 17th, the dead bat was found outside a home near Quacco Road and Highway 17 after possibly interacting with a pet cat. The bat was sent to a public health laboratory, and on September 21st, tested positive for rabies. Fortunately, there was no known human exposure to the infected bat, and the pet cat at the property is up to date on its rabies vaccination.
Rabies is a deadly virus that is primarily spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Several species of wild animals in our area can carry rabies, including raccoons, foxes, and bats. The following tips can protect you and your family from rabies:
- Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
- Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster shot within one year and vaccination every 1-3 years depending on veterinary recommendation and vaccine used.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal services or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
- Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.
Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis. If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Chatham County Animal Services at 912-652-6575 and the Chatham County Environmental Health office at 912-356-2160.
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