Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) has reported its fourth rabies case of the year following a second incident in Hillsborough this month.

On December 10, a Hillsborough resident discovered a skunk in an outdoor area with her livestock. Animal Control was contacted and they removed the skunk for rabies testing. Results came back positive according to the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health.

According to OCAS, the only animals that had possible exposure to the skunk were livestock and they were evaluated by a veterinarian from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.

Because the resident had possible exposure due to touching her livestock, a Communicable Disease Nurse from the Orange County Health Department is in contact with her to evaluate the risk of rabies exposure.

While this rabid skunk only came in contact with livestock, OCAS is using this incident to remind owners to keep their pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations as rabies is a fatal viral infection. Per North Carolina law, dogs, cats and ferrets older than four months must have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.

When there is “a reasonable suspicion of exposure,” a dog, cat, or ferret with a valid vaccination history must receive a booster shot within four days. An unvaccinated cat or dog must either be euthanized or quarantined for a period up to four months.

Rabies can be transmitted through secondary saliva exposure when handling an animal, so OCAS said do not touch your pet without gloves if it has had any possible exposure to a rabies vector. Common North Carolina rabies vectors include bats, raccoons, and foxes.

Orange County recorded a total of eight positive rabies cases last year and six the year before. Most recently, the last rabies case in the county was identified on December 5, 2021. This is the second rabid skunk case this month.

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