North Georgians treated for rabies exposure

rabies tile
rabies tile

DALTON, Ga. - Twelve North Georgia residents are being treated for exposure to rabies after contact with domestic animals that have tested positive for the virus, a North Georgia Health District News release states.

Within the past two weeks, two puppies and a kitten have been confirmed by the Georgia Public Health Laboratory as having rabies. All three were too young to get rabies vaccinations, authorities said. One puppy was in Whitfield County and the other was in Gilmer County. The kitten was in Cherokee County.

In each case, the pet was attacked by a rabid wild animal and bitten in the head, but the incidents were not reported to veterinarians or health authorities until the pets developed rabies symptoms.

The wild animals that transmitted rabies to the puppies and kitten were a skunk, a raccoon and, possibly, a coyote, authorities said.

Pets must be at least 3 months old to be vaccinated against rabies.

Parents are strongly cautioned to keep children away from wild animals, strays and unvaccinated pets that may have been in contact with wild animals. All dogs and cats should be vaccinated at three months of age and no later.

Questions and reports may be directed to the North Georgia Health District Environmental Health office in Dalton by calling 706-529-5757, ext. 1161.

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