The Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health is alerting residents that a cat found on NC Highway 62 in Julian tested positive for the rabies virus on October 4, 2019. This is the twelfth confirmed case of animal rabies in 2019.
North Carolina law requires that all domestic pets (cats, dogs and ferrets), whether living inside or outside, age four months or older be vaccinated. Even animals that are confined in outdoor fenced areas should have current rabies vaccinations, because wild animals can get into these areas and attack your pets. Supervising your pets when they are outdoors could prevent contact with wild animals and lessen the possibility of rabies exposure.
Rabies circulates within our wildlife population throughout the entire year. Here are some tips to help prevent you or your family from coming in contact with the rabies virus when outside enjoying nature:
Avoid direct contact with wildlife, dead or alive. Do not approach, try to play with or rescue any wildlife. Never touch any wildlife with your bare hands. If you find a sick or injured animal, contact Animal Control at 336-641-5990 and let them handle it. Do not try to rescue or treat the animal yourself.
Avoid any animal displaying unnatural behavior. Wild animals are not usually friendly, so be very careful if they approach you.
Do not try to separate fighting animals.
Feed your pets indoors. Leaving food outside will attract dogs, cats or other wildlife and bring them into your yard.
Report all stray animals to Animal Control at 336-641-5990 in Greensboro or 336-883-32245 in High Point. Stray animals may not be vaccinated against rabies and run the risk of carrying rabies.
If a person is bitten by an animal (domestic or stray), they should wash the area immediately with soap and water, seek medical attention and report the bite to local Animal Control Officers.
For more information on rabies prevention or to schedule an educational program, please contact Guilford County Animal Services at 336-641-2506 or visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/animal-services.
