White County has reported its first confirmed case of rabies this year. A skunk tested positive for the virus after coming into contact with a dog in the Walking Hore Lane area.
According to White County Environmental Health Manager Sean Sullivan, a homeowner found the skunk in his driveway when he went outside his home to investigate why his dog was barking. The skunk bit the dog on its back leg. The homeowner put the skunk down and reported the incident to Environmental Health.
The specimen was shipped to the State lab on Monday, and the health department received the positive results Wednesday afternoon. Sullivan says the dog had a history of rabies vaccination and will be maintained in a 45-day observational quarantine.
Positive alert signs will be posted in the area where the rabid skunk was located. If you live in this area and have concerns about rabid animal exposure, please contact White County Environmental Health at 706-348-7698 during normal business hours.
