Orange County Animal Services received its third positive case of rabies on Thursday, according to a release from the department.

The case originated on Tuesday in the vicinity of Walnut Grove Church Road and NC-86 in Hillsborough. A resident discovered her dog had killed a skunk in its outdoor enclosure before calling Animal Control. The skunk was later removed for rabies testing, which came back positive on Thursday.

Animal Services said because the dog had a current vaccination, it is able to receive a booster rabies vaccination within the required window of 96 hours. In contrast, an unvaccinated cat or dog must either be destroyed or quarantined for a period up to four months.

The resident and another family member handled the dog after exposure to the skunk, however, which complicates the matter. The department said a Communicable Disease Nurse from the Orange County Health Department is in contact with them to evaluate the risk of rabies exposure.

Orange County recorded a total of six positive rabies cases last year and four the year before. This is the second case involving a skunk in 2020, which is a frequent spillover effect species.

For pet owners who need to update or receive their animals’ vaccinations, Orange County Animal Services is holding two upcoming low-cost rabies vaccination clinics. The first will take place on Thursday March 26, at the Eno River Farmer’s Market in Hillsborough. The second will be held on Saturday, April 25, at Cedar Grove Community Center in Hillsborough.

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