Rabid skunk confirmed in Walker County

LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) – Public health officials confirm their first case of rabies in northwest Georgia this season.

A rabid skunk was found in Walker County.

This is their first confirmed case of rabies in Walker County since 2014.

But officials say we should always take precautions.

“Rabies is always circulating in our wild animal population,” says the Walker County Health Department’s Environmental Health Manager Jason Osgatharp.

His advice is to avoid wild, stray and possibly unvaccinated animals and make sure your own pets get the shot.

“Getting your pet vaccinated against rabies is the single best way to protect your pet from rabies,” Osgatharp says.  “It’s important to do it for their protection, for our protection, and because it’s state law.”

Rabies can spread from animals to humans, requiring a painful round of shots.

Here is our yearly precaution:

• Vaccinate all dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies.  Check with your veterinarian to make sure your pets have up-to-date protection against rabies.  Remember that the vaccination of pets against rabies protects not only the pets, but more importantly, protects people.
• Don’t leave pet food out where wild animals can access it.  Leaving pet food out is a sure way of getting wild animals to visit your home endangering you, your family and your pets.
• Remind children to avoid animals they don’t recognize, especially stray or wild animals.  These animals may be infected with rabies.

• Small children should not be left unattended with dogs, even if the dog is a pet or the child is familiar with it.
• Keep pets at home.  Obey any county laws requiring that dogs be restrained to the owner’s property.  Pets that are kept close to home are less likely to encounter a rabid animal.

• Report any raccoon, fox, bat or skunk that is out during the day in a residential area or that is behaving strangely to the local Georgia Department of Natural Resources Game and Fish Division office at   1-800-241-4113.
• Report stray dogs and cats and aggressive or sick-appearing animals to the local animal-control office.
• Don’t attempt to assist injured or sick animals without professional help.  Even animals which would never bite otherwise can bite when sick or in pain.
• Bats found in sleeping quarters should be captured and tested for rabies even when there is no evidence of a bite wound or contact with the sleeping individuals.
• After-hours calls involving aggressive animals should be directed to 911.
• After-hours calls involving animal bites and their potential for rabies exposure should be directed to 866-PUB-HLTH (866-782-4584).