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Stray cat tests positive for rabies

Stray cat tests positive for rabies

Published: September 30, 2025

STRAY CAT TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES; ANYONE IN CONTACT SHOULD CALL CATAWBA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

HICKORY, N.C. – Catawba County Public Health was notified on September 29 that a stray cat in the Long Island area of Sherrills Ford- Catawba has tested positive for rabies, a virus that is fatal to animals and humans once symptoms develop.

Anyone who may have come in contact with a stray black tuxedo cat in Sherrills Ford since September 15 should call Catawba County Public Health’s Communicable Disease Team at (828) 695-5800 to discuss next steps, which could include receiving a rabies preventative.

“This case serves as a warning for people to avoid contact with stray animals and also as a timely reminder to make sure your own pets are up to date on rabies vaccines,” said Clinical Nursing Supervisor Elaine Yancey.

Cats are the most commonly infected domestic animal in North Carolina. Cats that spend time outside unsupervised may prey on wildlife that is infected with rabies.

Cats, dogs and ferrets are required by North Carolina law to be vaccinated against the fatal disease once they are four months old or older. Rabies vaccines for animals are widely available at veterinary offices, mobile clinics, humane societies and at Catawba County Animal Control.

Vaccines can also protect other animals, like livestock from developing the disease if they are exposed. If you are unsure of your animal’s rabies vaccine status, contact your veterinarian or have the animal re-vaccinated.

More information on rabies and rabies prevention can be found on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s web site at https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/index.html or the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services web site at https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/rabies/control.html.

Catawba County Public Health promotes and protects the health of all Catawba County residents through preventive services, innovative partnerships, and community health improvement initiatives. For more information, please call (828) 695-5800 or visit www.catawbacountync.gov/phealth.