There’s been another case of rabies confirmed in White County where, health officials say, two dogs recently came into contact with a rabid skunk. It happened on October 22 in the Trinity Trail area west of Cleveland.
“According to the homeowner, a skunk was wandering around their yard at approximately 8:30 a.m. acting aggressive towards their animals. The skunk did attack and bite one dog on a run, then the other dog attacked the skunk,” says White County Environmental Health Manager Sean Sullivan.
The skunk was put down and personnel from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources transported it to the White County Environmental Health Department. From there it was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Virology Lab in Decatur.
On Wednesday, October 27, the state lab notified White County health officials that the skunk tested positive for rabies.
Sullivan says 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.
The dogs that were attacked had a previous history of rabies vaccination and will undergo a 45-day observational quarantine, according to Sullivan.
This is the third confirmed case of rabies in White County this year. That remains significantly lower than last year when at least 19 cases of the potentially deadly virus were diagnosed in the county.
Animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their domesticated pets for rabies. Please call your local veterinarian or Humane Society for an appointment.
This article has been updated with additional information
