Three cases of rabies found in animals in Guilford County in one week is rare if not unheard of – but that’s what’s happened this year, and the rapidity of cases is raising some alarm among public health officials since animal rabies can be transmitted to humans, and it’s a very unpleasant disease to get.
In fact, it still kills tens of thousands of people worldwide each year.
In the US, cases in humans almost always result from the bite of an infected dog.
It used to be that instances of rabies in animals in Guilford County were few and far between, but, lately, the number of cases of rabies in the county is becoming very troublesome.
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, Guilford County confirmed its 17th case of animal rabies for 2024. The 16th case was just five days prior to that, and the 15th case was a rabid fox just seven days ago.
In this week’s new chapter of the county’s rabies saga, the Division of Public Health of the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services alerted county residents that a raccoon on Ivystone Drive in Jamestown had tested positive for rabies on August 27.
Two years ago, Guilford County led the state in animal rabies cases – and it did so, from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022 – with just 22 cases of animals with the disease.
Currently, in 2024, Guilford County is already up to 17 cases – with the last three coming in at a very rapid clip and with four months still left in the year.
In light of the sudden rash of new cases within a week, county health officials are once again asking local media to remind people that North Carolina law requires “All domestic pets (cats, dogs, and ferrets), whether living inside or outside, aged four months or older be vaccinated for rabies.”
In addition, “All animals that are confined in outdoor fenced areas should also have current rabies vaccinations. Supervising pets when they are outdoors could prevent contact with wild animals and lessen the possibility of rabies exposure.”
Keep in mind that rabies circulates within the county’s wildlife population throughout the entire year.
Among other things that go without saying, “Avoid direct contact with wildlife, dead or alive. Do not approach, try to play with, touch, rescue or treat any wildlife.”
If you find a sick or injured animal, contact Animal Control at 336-641-5990.
