Raccoon tests positive for rabies in Guyton
Raccoon tests positive for rabies in Guyton
Effingham County Health Department is alerting neighbors
Updated: 4:38 PM EDT Oct 25, 2024
The Effingham County Health Department is alerting neighbors near Griffin Lake in north Guyton after a raccoon tested positive for rabies.On Oct. 23, a resident in the area encountered a raccoon that appeared to be sick and contacted the county health department. The raccoon was located and tested for rabies, and it tested positive. The resident was advised to visit their healthcare provider for post-exposure treatment.Rabies is a deadly virus that primarily affects wild animals, but can also be carried by feral cats and dogs. If you see an animal that you believe is sick, contact your local health department.The Effingham County Health Department Environmental Health office has these tips to protect you and your family from rabies:Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster shot within one year and vaccination every 1-3 years depending on veterinary recommendation and vaccine used.Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.
The Effingham County Health Department is alerting neighbors near Griffin Lake in north Guyton after a raccoon tested positive for rabies.
On Oct. 23, a resident in the area encountered a raccoon that appeared to be sick and contacted the county health department. The raccoon was located and tested for rabies, and it tested positive. The resident was advised to visit their healthcare provider for post-exposure treatment.
Rabies is a deadly virus that primarily affects wild animals, but can also be carried by feral cats and dogs. If you see an animal that you believe is sick, contact your local health department.
The Effingham County Health Department Environmental Health office has these tips to protect you and your family from rabies:
- Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
- Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster shot within one year and vaccination every 1-3 years depending on veterinary recommendation and vaccine used.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
- Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.
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