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NORCROSS, Georgia – A rabid raccoon was caught Friday in a park in Norcross, urging health officials to warn people to stay away from animals with "strange or unusual behavior".
Park workers found the raccoon at Graves Park, located at 1540 Graves Road. Officials said the animal was acting strangely and was later tested positive for rabies.
The number of confirmed cases of rabies continues to climb in Georgia. According to DeKalb Animal Control, at least 11 raccoons have tested positive for rabies in DeKalb County this year.
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Twelve cases of rabies have been confirmed in Gwinnett County in 2017, according to health authorities.
Animals at high risk for the rabies virus include insectivorous bats and wild carnivores, including raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rabies virus attacks the central nervous system in humans and can be fatal if it is not treated.
Symptoms of rabies in people
- Fever
- Headache
- General weakness, malaise
What to do if you have been bitten or scratched by a rabid animal
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Report the incident to health department officials
- Try to catch the rabid animal if possible, but stay away from unknown animals – especially wildlife.
- Call the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare Office at 770-33903200, extension 5576, or call the non-emergency shipping number at 770-513-5700
What does a rabid animal look like?
- Rabid animals may seem docile, but show strange or unusual behavior
- Aggressive actions
- Avoid food or water
- Foaming in the mouth
- Having difficulty moving rigidly and strangely
How to protect your animals against rabies
- Make sure your animals receive regular rabies vaccinations
- Keep animals on your property
- Do not leave garbage or pet food on the outside. Food left out can attract wild or stray animals
- Stay away from wild, sick, injured or dead animals.
- Do not take a sick or injured animal – call Gwinnett Animal Welfare at 770-513-5700 or 770-339-3200.
- Do not keep wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes or coyotes as pets
- Teach children not to approach wild animals or to play with strange dogs or cats
According to the National Association of Public Health Veterinarians, unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal must be quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month before being released.
Where to get free rabies vaccines
Gwinnett Animal Welfare has partnered with the Animal Alliance of Georgia, Canine Pet Rescue, the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia and Live Healthy Gwinnett to provide free rabies vaccines on September 29, 2018, starting at 2pm. at 4 pm at Pinckneyville Park at 4758 S. Old Peachtree Road, Peachtree Corners
© 2018 WXIA
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