The Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory confirmed Thursday that a fox in Griffin tested positive for rabies after fighting a dog in the Ivy Road area earlier this week, Natalie Shelton, District 4 Public Health public information officer, said Friday.
Kelly Wilson, Spalding County’s environmental health manager with District 4 Public Health, said the incident between the two animals occurred Monday.
Shelton said all residents are encouraged to take precautions to protect their families and pets against rabies by learning signs of rabies and vaccinating pets. Health officials urge people to stay away from wild or stray animals that appear unafraid of humans and those that exhibit behaviors unusual of their character.
“If you notice a wild or nocturnal animal moving about in the daytime, and the animal appears to show no fear of people, or the animal seems to behave in a sick or abnormal way, the animal may be infected with rabies,” Wilson said. “Therefore, people should avoid the animal and report it to the local health department or animal control.”
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals spread most often through the bite of an infected animal. Though less common, the virus also can spread when infectious saliva comes in contact with a scratch or open wound (potentially through licking) or in contact with the eyes, nose and mouth.
Several behavioral and physical signs can be possible indicators of rabies in wild animals. Abnormal behaviors might include erratic movements, shaking, stumbling, moving sluggishly or lethargically, or acting aggressive towards people or pets. Other signs can include looking agitated or disturbed, repeated high-pitched vocalization, nervous for unknown reasons, partial paralysis, discharge from the mouth and eyes, or self-mutilation (biting itself).
The majority of rabies cases reported annually occur in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats, according to the CDC.
“It is important to remember that although rabies occurs more often in wildlife, domestic animals like the family dog or cat can become infected as well,” Wilson said. “I strongly encourage owners to have all pets vaccinated to prevent rabies.”
Georgia law requires owned dogs, cats, and ferrets to have a rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian.
Keeping up with the required state rabies vaccination law also keeps your pet safe in the event it bites a person, said Melinda Knight, District 4’s environmental health director. If your pet bites a human and you cannot prove its rabies vaccine is current, the law may require a 10-day quarantine for your pet, or even euthanasia so its brain tissue can be examined for signs of rabies.
Rabies infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy (a disease of the brain) and, ultimately, death. Early symptoms of the disease include fever and headache. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms appear and may include insomnia, confusion, hallucinations, a slight or partial paralysis, hyper salivation, and/or difficulty swallowing.
Whether the animal looks healthy or sick, don’t approach it. If it appears to be sick, overly aggressive, or out of character, report it to Animal Control by calling (770) 229-9911, or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division at (800) 366-2661.
Report any direct contact with your pet or with a human to Animal Control or the Spalding County Environmental Health Office at (770) 467-4230. Treatment and prevention practices for rabies in humans have proven to be almost 100% effective when initiated promptly.
