Orange County Animal Services has reported a positive rabies test, its third so far in 2023.
Animal Services reported the test in a statement on Tuesday morning. Officials say the case originated on Sunday, July 9, when a resident and their dog had an altercation with a fox on Schley Road north of Hillsborough. Animal Control removed the fox for testing shortly thereafter.
The resident and the dog are now in contact with a communicable disease nurse from the Orange County Health Department to evaluate the risk of exposure. Pets who are up to date on their rabies vaccinations only need a booster shot within four days after exposure; unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets must be euthanized or quarantined for four to six months.
This week’s incident is the third positive rabies test in Orange County in 2023; there were four in all of 2022. The frequency can be cyclical, but in recent years rabies has been far less prevalent locally than in years past: in 1997, for instance, Orange County reported 106 positive tests.
While rabies is often found in foxes, bats are the most common host species. Other carriers can include raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, wolves, groundhogs, and beavers. Officials are reminding residents to call Animal Services immediately (or 911 during non-business hours) if there’s any possibility of exposure from a bat or another rabies vector.
DID YOU KNOW? (courtesy of Orange County Animal Services)
- Rabies virus can be transmitted through secondary saliva exposure when handling an animal, so do not touch your pet without gloves if it has had any possible exposure to rabies.
- It is a law in North Carolina that dogs, cats and ferrets older than four months must have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.
- If a rabies suspect animal is alive, do not attempt to capture the animal. Keep visual contact with the animal until an Animal Control Officer arrives.
- If you discover a bat inside your house, be sure not to release it, but do remove yourself and any animals from the area.
- Always call Orange County Animal Control immediately if you find a bat in your home even if there is no evidence of a bite.
Orange County hosts periodic low-cost rabies vaccination clinics for dogs and cats. For information on upcoming clinics, click here.
Photo by Dmitry Demidov.
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