On May 3, the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s first rabies case for the year.
On May 1, Alamance County Health Department was notified of a human and pet exposure to a fox that occurred on April 30 in the Juniper Drive area of Burlington. The fox was sent to the North Carolina State Lab for rabies testing where it was found to be positive.
The human exposure identified by the health department was advised to begin immediate post-exposure treatment. One of the individual’s dogs was in an altercation with the fox and the other dog was in the vicinity but cannot be determined if it also had contact with the fox. Both dogs are up to date with rabies vaccinations. However, due to this exposure, both dogs will receive a rabies vaccine booster dose. Authorities will follow up for a 45-day quarantine for both dogs.
It is recommended that any outside pets near the area of Juniper Drive in Burlington be checked and monitored for bite wounds. If you live in this area and are concerned about a possible exposure, please contact the on-call communicable disease nurse at 336-516-7715.
It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination should occur when the dog or cat is no more than four months of age; the second vaccination is required no more than a year later and then again, every three years.
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
For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the Alamance County Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.