Rockingham County Public Health Confirms Rabies Case
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Rockingham County Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Services News Release • December 29, 2023 • R. Hawthorne
Area Residents Should Remain Vigilant and Report Suspicious Animals
WENTWORTH, NC – On December 29, 2023, the Rockingham County Division of Public Health (RCDPH) received lab results confirming that a local feral cat was positive for rabies. The cat had been captured near NC Hwy 135 between NC Hwy 770 and Settle Bridge Road, to the southeast of Stoneville.
RCDPH encourages county residents to remain vigilant and avoid any animals exhibiting unusual behavior. Anyone who sees an animal suspected to have rabies should call the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control office at 336-634-3300. Residents should always take the following precautions for avoiding potentially rabid animals:
• Do not approach animals you do not know.
• If you are bitten or scratched by an animal with unknown vaccination history, immediately wash the wound and seek medical attention.
• Keep pets current on rabies vaccinations.
• Do not feed wild or stray animals, including cats and dogs.
• Do not leave food or loose trash outside your home.
• Cover garbage bins with tight-fitting lids.
• Do not leave pet food outside overnight.
• If a pet comes in contact with an animal suspected of having rabies, seek veterinary care immediately.
“Rabies cases must be taken seriously, and we remind everyone to be wary of unknown animals,” said Trey Wright, Rockingham County Health Director. “North Carolina state law requires that all pet dogs, cats, and ferrets be kept current with their rabies vaccinations in order to protect the animals and community members.”
Rabies is caused by a virus and is most often found in wild animals. Humans can contract rabies if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, and the disease is fatal unless appropriate medical care is received. More information about rabies and prevention is available at https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
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