Rabid Raccoon Found in Garage 6/30/08

A raccoon that was found Sunday in the garage of a home in the Valleyfield subdivision has tested positive for rabies. Four confirmed and two suspected rabies cases have been investigated in Holly Springs in the past six weeks.

A homeowner who touched the raccoon found Sunday is being contacted by Wake County Public Health for advice on whether rabies prevention treatment is warranted.

Police Lt. Anthony Revels said destruction of wildlife habitat has led to an increase in the rabies caseload for Animal Control officers as diseased wildlife encounter people and pets.

In light of the recent increase in cases, Holly Springs Animal Control has been offering additional opportunities for low-cost rabies shots.

Vaccination will cost only $5 per pet on Saturday, July 19 from 9 a.m. until noon at Town Hall. The rabies clinic is being offered in conjunction with the Holly Springs Farmers Market.

Rabid animals such as foxes and raccoons may act unpredictably or aggressively, approaching or even attacking people and pets rather than running away.

Recent cases in Holly Springs include:

• A suspected case of rabies in a raccoon found in mid-June in the Holly Glen subdivision. The animal did not meet state criteria for testing since no known exposure to people or pets occurred.

• A confirmed case of rabies in a dead bat that was found June 8 in the garage of home in Sunset Ridge. No family members or pets were believed to have been exposed.

• A confirmed case of rabies in a fox that attacked a pet Chihuahua on May 24 outside a home at 4905 Optimist Farm Road.

• A suspected case of rabies in a raccoon also found May 24 in a trap that Animal Control officers had set out in Sunset Lake Village. No known exposure to people or pets occurred, so the raccoon was not tested.

• A confirmed case of rabies in another fox that scratched a woman May 20 behind a home in Sunset Lake Village. The woman has undergone rabies prevention treatment.

State law requires rabies vaccination for dogs and cats. An unvaccinated pet that is exposed to rabies must be euthanized or quarantined for six months, Animal Control officers said.

Homeowners should not set out food for foxes, raccoons or other wildlife. Securing garbage can lids and removing attractions such as pet food bowls also can help keep wildlife at an appropriate distance. Keep garage doors closed to help keep wildlife out.

For more on protecting yourself and your pets against rabies, call (919) 557-9111.

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Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us