Positive Rabies Test Reported on Skunk in Hillsborough

Orange County Animal Services has announced a positive rabies test on a skunk in Hillsborough.

According to a release from OCAS, the incident involving the skunk and a dog in an outdoor enclosure occurred in the vicinity of North Carolina Highway 57 and Walker Road, north of downtown Hillsborough, on September 11. The skunk was then removed for rabies testing.

This is the fourth positive rabies test recorded in Orange County this year and the second this month. A positive test on a fox was reported on September 4.

OCAS is urging residents to be cautious about interacting with wildlife when spending time outdoors, and for pet owners to be up to date on their pets’ rabies vaccinations. North Carolina law mandates that all dogs, cats and ferrets older than four months have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.

The virus is generally transmitted through secondary saliva exposure when handling an animal, so owners are asked to not touch their pets without gloves if the pet has had possible exposure to rabies. A vaccinated dog, cat or ferret which is suspected to have been exposed to rabies must receive a booster shot within four days. Any unvaccinated cat or dog must either be euthanized or quarantined for a period of up to four months. Unvaccinated ferrets can be quarantined for up to six months. OCAS did not provide an update on the condition of the dog involved in the incident.

Orange County Animal Services hosts periodic low-cost rabies vaccination clinics for dogs and cats, with the next scheduled for October 19. For more information on clinics and future dates, visit the county government’s website. Additional rabies resources from Orange County can be found here.

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