Orange County Animal Services said a skunk in Hillsborough tested positive for rabies. It is the fourth case of the year.
According to a release sent from OCAS Friday afternoon, the case occurred Wednesday when a Hillsborough resident noticed a skunk in an area with her livestock. Animal control removed the skunk where it later tested positive for rabies.
According to OCAS, the resident’s dog and livestock had exposure to the skunk and a veterinarian from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is evaluating the live stock conditions.
“Because the dog had a rabies vaccination, he is able to receive a booster rabies vaccination within the required window,” OCAS said. “When there is “a reasonable suspicion of exposure,” a dog, cat, or ferret with a valid vaccination history must receive a booster shot within 96 hours (4 days).”
An unvaccinated animal would have to be euthanized or quarantined for up to four months if there was a rabies exposure. OCAS reminds everyone to vaccinate their pets for rabies to ensure their safety. North Carolina also has a law that all dogs, cats and ferrets older than four months must have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.
Rabies is a fatal infection and can be transmitted via secondary saliva exposure. OCAS says to call Animal Services in the event of a potential rabies infected animal.
Common rabies vectors in North Carolina include raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats.
The most recent rabies case was in June when a sheep tested positive for the infection. Previous 2022 cases included a bat and raccoon. There were four rabies cases during 2021 and eight in 2020.
Photo via Shutterstock
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