BURLINGTON – The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh has confirmed Alamance County’s fifth and sixth cases of rabies for the year.
Alamance County Health Department received notification on October 31 that a kitten located in the Eli Whitney area near Greensboro-Chapel Hill Rd had tested positive for rabies. The kitten was taken to a local veterinarian office on October 26 after becoming ill and subsequently died the following day. Five individuals are receiving treatment as a result of exposure.
Alamance County Health Department received notification on November 1 that a skunk located near Reid Rd. in the northern part of the county tested positive for rabies. One unvaccinated dog was euthanized after exposure to the skunk.
“These events are unfortunate examples of why dogs and cats must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations,” said Carl Carroll, Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health Director. “Residents have the opportunity to vaccinate their pets at low cost clinics around our county in the coming week and we urge pet owners to take advantage of these clinics.”
The Alamance County Health Department will be holding a vaccination clinic November 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Environmental Health Building located at 219 North Graham-Hopedale Road in Burlington. The cost is $5.00 per animal. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers. Animals should begin receiving rabies vaccination at 4 months of age.
Additional public rabies vaccination clinics will be held for one week, November 5-10, at the following local veterinary offices:
– Mebane Veterinary Hospital (919) 563-5006
– Graham Animal Hospital (336)228-1600
– Tri-County Veterinary Service (336) 376-6838
– Animal Hospital of Mebane (919) 304-1600
– Creekside Animal Clinic (919) 563-9663
In addition, Alamance Animal Emergency Hospital, available at (336) 228-7226, will provide rabies vaccinations November 5-9 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and again on November 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. only. Please call the veterinary office for clinic hours and to schedule an appointment for the participating clinics. Rabies vaccines at the participating offices above will cost $5.00 per animal.
If 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 animal
For more information or questions about rabies control, vaccination requirements, or upcoming clinics, contact the Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.