A raccoon in Savannah’s midtown space has examined optimistic for rabies. The Chatham County Health Department’s Environmental Health workplace reminds all residents to keep away from contact with wild animals and guarantee pets are correctly vaccinated in opposition to rabies.
The raccoon was found already deceased in a residential yard close to White Bluff Road and DeRenne Avenue and was taken to a public well being lab for rabies testing. There was no human publicity to the contaminated raccoon. Fortunately, the one household pet which will have interacted with the raccoon is updated on rabies vaccination and obtained a booster vaccine.
This incident is a reminder that a number of species of untamed animals in our space can carry rabies, together with raccoons, foxes, and bats. Rabies is a doubtlessly lethal virus that’s primarily unfold by contaminated animals.
Following the following pointers can shield you and your loved ones from rabies:
- Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
- Make positive your pets obtain the right immunizations. Dogs and cats ought to get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks of age, adopted by a booster shot inside one 12 months and vaccination each 1-3 years relying on veterinary suggestion and vaccine used.
- Do not deal with, feed, or unintentionally appeal to wild animals with open rubbish cans or by leaving pet meals out at night time.
- Never undertake wild animals or carry them into your home. Do not attempt to nurse sick animals to well being. Call animal management or a correctly licensed animal rescue company for help.
- Teach kids to by no means deal with unfamiliar animals, wild or home, even when they seem pleasant. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is an effective precept for kids to study.
Symptoms of rabies in animals embrace a change in conduct, biting, aggression, displaying no worry of pure enemies (reminiscent of people), foaming on the mouth, and paralysis. If an animal ever bites you, search medical care instantly and make contact with Chatham County Animal Services at 912-652-6575 and the Chatham County Environmental Health workplace at 912-356-2160.
