PUBLIC NOTICE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – Brunswick County Health Services received notification today that a local raccoon has tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to remind residents to stay aware and take precautions to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their pets from potentially rabid animals.
The raccoon attacked a person in the Longwood area of Brunswick County. The individual is receiving the necessary rabies vaccinations following the incident. The raccoon died during the altercation and Animal Protective Services promptly sent it to the North Carolina Public Health Lab for rabies testing.
Health Services and the Animal Protective Services Division at the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office worked together to investigate the incident and want to inform the community about proactive safety steps everyone can take wherever they live in the county.
Steps you can take to protect yourself, loved ones, and pets include:
- Vaccinate your pets against rabies and keep the vaccinations current. North Carolina rabies law requires that all owned dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age.
- Vaccinating routinely is also necessary for protection, either once per year or once per three years.
- Supervise pets outdoors and keep all pets on a leash when not contained in a fenced yard.
- Do not feed pets outdoors. Pet food attracts wildlife.
- Do not feed wildlife, feral cats, or feral dogs.
- Secure garbage cans with wildlife-proof lids.
- Leave young wildlife alone. If you find a juvenile animal that appears to need help, it is best to leave it alone and call a wildlife professional who can safely help.
Rabies is a serious viral infection that is deadly to both animals and humans:
In the United States, human fatalities from rabies occur in people who fail to seek medical assistance, usually because they were unaware of their exposure. In almost all cases, fatality from rabies in infected humans can be prevented by prompt medical attention and vaccination.
If you are bitten or scratched by any animal that could possibly have rabies:
- Clean the wound well with soap and running water for 15 minutes and contact your doctor or go to your nearest hospital emergency department for care. The doctor will determine if a series of rabies vaccinations will be needed.
- Report the incident immediately to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Animal Protective Services Division at 910-253-1738 and provide the location of the incident, a description of the animal, and as many other details as possible.
- Do not try to catch any wild animal that bites or scratches you. Call Animal Protective Services immediately and they will try to capture the animal.
- If the animal is someone's pet, get the owner's name, phone number, and address and provide this information to the Animal Protective Services officer. Any warm-blooded animal (mammal) can transmit rabies. The animal that bit you, depending on the species and circumstances, must be evaluated or tested for rabies.
To learn more about rabies prevention and treatment, visit brunswickcountync.gov/rabies.
For recommendations about interacting with wildlife, including feeding or rescuing wildlife, visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's website.
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