BURLINGTON – On September 11, 2018, the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s third case of rabies for the year.
On September 10, Alamance County Health Department was notified that a cat killed a bat on Quaker Ridge Road in Mebane. The health department sent the bat to the State Laboratory for Public Health for testing and the bat was positive for rabies. Following current state guidelines, the cat will remain under observation for 45 days. There was no report of human contact to the bat.
If you live in either of these areas and have outside pets, you should examine them for any wounds that may have come from contact with this bat and notify animal control or the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367 if you have questions or concerns.
If you are bitten by any animal:
- Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
- Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control. If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address. Give this information to animal control or the health department.
- Do not try to catch any wild or stray animal
“The best way to protect your pet from rabies is by vaccinating them and keeping up-to-date on vaccinations,” states Environmental Health Director Terri Craver. “It is the law in North Carolina.”
There is an upcoming rabies clinic at the Spay and Neuter Clinic on South Church Street on October 20, 2018 from 9-11:00. Cost is $5.00 per animal.
Tractor Supply on Garden Road vaccinates cats and dogs every Saturday. Call 336-586-9222 for more information. In addition, Pet Supermarket on South Church Street vaccinates dogs and cats every other Sunday. Cost is $21.00. For more information, call 336-584-8044. Last year, Alamance County had three confirmed animal cases of rabies.
For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the health department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.