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A raccoon. Photo obtained via Wikimedia Commons

DeKalb County reports that a raccoon captured on April 12 in the 400 block of North Hariston Road in Stone Mountain tested positive for rabies.

That makes the seventh confirmed case this year, but the county says that’s not an unusual number of cases.

“This year, there have been seven positive raccoon rabies incidents in the county including Dunwoody, Decaur, Tucker, Stone Mountain, Avondale Estates and Lithonia,” the county says. “Georgia is a rabies endemic state and the virus is present all year long. It is not unusual for the county to report several rabies cases this time of year.”

DeKalb County offered this advice to residents and pet owners:

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Residents should make sure pets are up to date for preventative vaccination and should eliminate outdoor feeding stations.  Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by an animal should seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, residents are advised to watch pets and contact DeKalb County Animal Control if unusual behavior occurs.

Rabies is a disease that affects the brain. It’s usually passed from animal to animal but can be passed from animals to people. The virus is spread through saliva, usually from a bite of an animal that has the disease. Vaccinations are effective in protecting humans and pets from the virus. Residents are responsible for vaccinating pets every year and registering the tag with DeKalb County Animal Control.

For more information or to report any animal bite, contact DeKalb County Animal Control at 404-294-2996, press and select option 2 from the menu.

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