Catawba County News

Seventh Rabies Case of 2019 Confirmed in Catawba County

Seventh Rabies Case of 2019 Confirmed in Catawba County

Published: October 30, 2019

Catawba County Animal Services has confirmed the county’s seventh rabies case of 2019 following an incident in Maiden. Previous cases reported to the county this year occurred in Claremont, Hickory, Maiden and Newton.

On October 25th, Animal Services responded to a call from a Maiden resident concerning a skunk that was found in a dog’s kennel. The skunk was sent to the North Carolina Public Health Laboratory in Raleigh for testing. Animal Control and Public Health were notified on October 29, 2019 that the skunk tested positive for rabies.

Because the dog’s owner had proof of prior rabies vaccination, the dog was provided a booster vaccine two days after the incident. Per state vaccination guidelines, animals with prior rabies vaccination should receive a rabies booster within 96 hours of possible rabies exposure.

Signs that an animal may be infected with rabies include loss of appetite, irritability and unusual aggression, lack of fear and restlessness, dilated pupils, seizures, trembling and unsteadiness, difficulty swallowing, and drooling or foaming at the mouth. People who encounter an animal with any of these symptoms should avoid contact with the animal and report it to Catawba County Animal Services at (828) 464-7686. Pet owners who suspect their pet had contact with a rabid animal are also urged to call Animal Services.

Animal Services reminds pet owners that rabies is a threat to pets and humans year-round. The best way to protect pets is to have them properly vaccinated for rabies.