Fox attacks in Triad mark start of rabies season in North Carolina; here’s what you need to know

(WGHP) — Summer is already in full swing in the Piedmont Triad and many people and animals are outside enjoying the warm weather — but that also means it Rabies season in North Carolina.

After two people attacked by a rabid fox in Winston-Salem This week, Forsyth County Health Department officials spoke to the public about what to do if you encounter a rabid animal.

“Be aware of your surroundings when you are out with your pets,” says Charles Cahill, an environmental health specialist.

Always be sure to be on the lookout for wildlife behaving strangely. Keep your distance and call the NC Wildlife Resources Commission at (866) 318-2401 if you see an animal that appears to be partially paralyzed or is acting erratically, nervous, aggressive, agitated, shaky, or excessively drooling.

“Often people say an animal acts like it’s drunk. It staggers and stumbles,” said Maureen Rimer, a public health nurse with FCDPH. “Sometimes we see them being aggressive and not afraid of people. Those are the big problems. It’s a neurological disease that affects the brain and nerves.”

The most common Animals that transmit rabies in NC are raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats. Deer, coyotes and bobcats are also affected by the disease.

So far this year, a total of 43 positive cases have been reported in the Piedmont Triad, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Guilford County and Randolph County had the most cases, with 11 each.

The fewest cases were in Caswell, Rockingham and Surry counties, one each.

The majority of the rabid animals were raccoons, foxes or skunks. However, a horse tested positive in Davidson County, two cats in Guilford County, and a bobcat and a coyote in Montgomery County.

Treatment

“You don’t want to have symptoms of rabies. If you have symptoms of rabies, it’s fatal. Then it’s too late. There’s nothing you can do about it,” Rimer said.

Fortunately, treating rabies in animals is not a complicated matter. The state of North Carolina requires that all dogs, cats, and ferrets have current rabies vaccinations. This also applies to dogs, cats, and ferrets visiting from out of state.

According to the FCDPH, rabies vaccinations may only be administered by a veterinarian or a professional certified in rabies vaccination.

A dog, cat or ferret is only considered to be fully vaccinated and protected against rabies infection 28 days after the first vaccination.

If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, immediately call a veterinarian and local animal control to remove all stray animals from your neighborhood, as they may be unvaccinated and infected.

If you have any questions, please contact NDHHS Public Health Veterinarian 24/7 at 919-733-3419

The treatment is also very simple for humans.

“We vaccinate our animals to prevent rabies, but we do not routinely vaccinate people against rabies… It’s a series of five shots,” Rimer said.

The first shot gives the body immunoglobulins to help fight the infection. The second shot is a vaccine that stimulates the body to produce antibodies. This is followed by three more shots to strengthen the body’s response to the rabies virus.

According to Rimer, the injections are given on days 0, 3, 7 and 14.

People “can get these in the emergency room or some urgent care facilities,” Rimer said.