After four recent cases of rabies affecting dogs and cats in Bulloch and Evans counties, the Southeast Health District, a unit of the Georgia Department of Public Health, is urging area residents to use caution, particularly around animals you don’t know.

The Southeast Health District posted a notice on its website Oct. 27 alerting residents that a dog in Evans County had tested positive for rabies.

“Following an incident, our Environmental Health team was notified by local authorities and sent the animal for testing at the Georgia Public Health Laboratory,” the notice stated in part.

Hearing of other cases, Dal Cannady, communications director for the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners, placed a notice on county social media pages this week tallying the total number of recent cases, in neighboring Bulloch and Evans counties combined, at four.

This was also reflected under a “Rabies Alert!” banner posted on the Bulloch County Health Department’s Facebook page Oct. 29, which indicated that at least one affected animal was a kitten.

When a citizen in the comment thread asked where the kitten was located, someone at the Health Department instead responded with a general statement:

“We have found 4 rabies-positive animals in Bulloch and adjacent counties. This is a very high occurrence. We intend to raise awareness in all to not approach unknown animals. If someone has been bitten or scratched by an animal, it is imperative that they contact their local health department.”

As stated in the Southeast Health District release, rabies is a deadly virus that can circulate in several species of animals in Southeast Georgia, including raccoons, foxes, and bats. When human cases occur, it is usually through contact with infected animals.

Caution advised

“Residents are urged not to feed or handle wild animals or attempt to domesticate feral animals, and pet owners are reminded to ensure their animals get regular rabies shots,” the precautionary statement continued. “Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines by four months of age, followed by a booster shot one year later, and another one every one to three years as prescribed by your veterinarian.”

Further pointers from the Health Department include:

• 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.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis. If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and report the bite to your local health department.

If you or someone you know has been bitten or scratched by a kitten you didn’t own, seek medical attention right away and contact your local health department.

If you spot an animal you suspect could be infected, contact Bulloch County Animal Control at 912-764-4529.