NEWS: Health Officials Issue Rabies Notice for South Cary Residents

10/15/2009

Local health officials have issued a rabies notice for residents and visitors in the vicinity of the intersection of Ten Ten Road and Holly Springs Road in Wake County. A case of rabies in a raccoon was confirmed Thursday, October 15, 2009.

On October 14, a raccoon interacted with a dog in the Dutchman Downs subdivision in the Fairview area, south of Cary. The dog was current with its rabies vaccinations and only required a rabies booster shot. The owner of the dog was potentially exposed and was referred to Wake County Community Health.

"The outcome would have been quite different for the dogs and family members had these dogs not been properly vaccinated," said Wake County Animal Control Director Michael Williams. "We urge everyone to check the rabies vaccination status of their pets, and make sure they are current with vaccines.

Anyone who sees an animal acting in an unusual manner is urged to call their respective animal control agency. Numbers are listed at the end of this release.

Whenever a person is bitten or scratched by an unknown animal, they should thoroughly clean the wound with soap and warm water, and contact their physician or Wake County Community Health immediately. The daytime phone number for Wake County Community Health is 919-250-4462; the after-hours number is 919-839-3059.

Wake County Animal Control officials urge the following:

Avoid interactions with wildlife.
Be sure pets are current with rabies vaccinations.
Do not leave trash or food outside, unless it is in a trash can with a tight-fitting lid.
If a pet is fed outside, do not leave food out overnight.
Do not leave pets outdoors unattended.
If your pet comes in contact with wildlife, contact your veterinarian immediately.

To report animal complaints and stray animals:

In Wake County (except Cary, Garner, Holly Springs and Raleigh), call 212-PETS (7387).
In Cary, call 319-4517.
In Garner, call 772-8896.
In Holly Springs, call 557-9111.
In Raleigh, call 831-6311.

More information on rabies can be found online through the N.C. Division of Public Health or through the National Center for Infectious Diseases.

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