First Rabies Case of 2020 Confirmed in Alamance County
BURLINGTON – On May 5, the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s first case of rabies for the year.
On May 2, Burlington Animal Services was notified that a raccoon and a dog were in an altercation on Center Street in Burlington; however, the dog lives on Chandler Court in Burlington. Burlington Animal Services sent the raccoon to the State Laboratory for Public Health for testing and the raccoon was positive for rabies. The dog was not up-to-date on vaccinations and was euthanized. Two adults were exposed to the raccoon. The health department is assisting both individuals with accessing post-exposure treatment.
If you live in this area and have outside pets, the Health Department encourages you to examine them for any wounds that may have come from contact with this raccoon and notify Animal Control or the Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367 if you have questions or concerns.
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 4 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
Last year, Alamance County had seven 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.