Orange County Animal Services received its second positive rabies test result of the year on Tuesday.

According to a release from the department, test results from a skunk came back from the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health positive of rabies. Orange County received a total of six positive cases last year and four in 2018.

The case originated on Sunday, February 9, near Walnut Grove Church Road and NC-86 in Hillsborough. The department said a resident heard his puppies barking and found them chasing a skunk in their enclosure on his property. The resident then shot and killed the skunk before calling Animal Control, who later removed the animal for rabies testing.

Because the resident’s puppies had not received rabies vaccinations, the dogs must either be quarantined for up to four months or destroyed, according to a state law. In comparison, animals who have valid rabies vaccination histories can receive booster vaccinations within a four-day period of encountering a positive rabies case.

According to the department, skunks that become rabid in this area are likely the victims of the “spillover effect.” When an animal other than the dominant reservoir species, which is the raccoon in North Carolina, contracts the virus, it is called “spillover.” Other species most susceptible to getting rabies from raccoons are dogs and cats, groundhogs, and foxes.

Orange County Animal Services will be holding two low-cost rabies vaccination clinics in the coming weeks for pet-owners who need to update their animals vaccines. On February 22 and March 26, the department will be offering one and three-year rabies vaccines for $10 each and microchips for $35. More information on the clinics can be found on the Animal Services website.

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