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Rabies
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Rabies has been confirmed and does exist in Durham County. Rabies can infect any warm-blooded mammal, but is most commonly seen in raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks. In North Carolina there have been confirmed cases in bats, bobcats, cats, dogs, cows, horses, foxes, beaver, skunk and groundhog. Rabies is very rarely seen in rodents, including squirrels and rarely in opossum and rabbits.
All wild animals should be treated as if they are dangerous, no matter how cute they may appear. Keep children and pets away from all wild animals.
Should your pet come into contact with an animal that may be a potential rabies suspect (any of the animals listed above):
Isolate your pet and contact Animal Control immediately. Try to keep an eye on the animal until an Animal Control Officer arrives to assist the officer in locating the animal for capture. If the animal is acting aggressively and causing a potential threat to your family and you feel you must destroy the animal before Animal Control arrives, attempt to do so without damaging the head area of the animal. This would prevent the ability for rabies testing to be conducted.
If Animal Control is able to capture the animal, it will be tested to determine if it was infected with rabies. In the meantime, your animal should be re-vaccinated against rabies within 72 hours of the initial contact with the animal for your pets and your family's protection.
If your pet was not current on rabies vaccination at the time of exposure, it will be placed into immediate quarantine by Animal Control pending the rabies test results of the rabies suspect. If the animal tests negative for rabies, your pet can be vaccinated and released.
However if the animal tests positive for rabies State Law requires that your pet would be destroyed immediately. The alternative to euthanasia is for your pet to be placed into quarantine at a local veterinarian or the animal shelter for up to 6 months at your expense. This is for the safety of your family and the public as your pet is now at risk for contracting the disease and must be observed daily for signs indicating that your pet is infected. During the quarantine period should your pet exhibit any signs or symptoms that it has become infected it will be euthanized and tested for rabies to confirm the disease. Minimal human contact and no other animal contact is permitted during the quarantine period. Should the animal survive the 6 month quarantine period the Health Director may authorize release of the animal the animal will be vaccinated against rabies and released to the owner.
If you or a member of your family should be scratched or bitten by a wild animal:
Contact Animal Control immediately and advise of the location of the animal and then seek immediate medical attention. Self care is not recommended!!! Animal Control will attempt to capture the animal for rabies testing. It is important to inform you physician of what kind of animal you had contact with.
If you should find a bat directly in your living quarters (such as bedroom living room bathroom and kitchen) you should contact Animal Control immediately. If it is after regular working hours for Animal Control you may do so by 911. Close the room the bat has been located in off until Animal Control arrives and ensure all pets and people are away from the area. Do not attempt to kill the bat.
Remember - rabies is fatal once signs of the disease appear in humans or animals. Do not take the risk. Keep pets current on rabies vaccinations. Maintain your distance from wild animals and keep your pets and children away from wild animals.
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