CHAPEL HILL -- A raccoon that was attacked by a dog being walked by its owner was rabid, according to a positive rabies result from the N.C. Rabies Laboratory. The raccoon was submitted because of the exposure it had with a dog in Chapel Hill.
A resident was walking her dog on her property in the vicinity of Estes Drive Ext. and N.C. 86 Sunday when it suddenly dove into ditch after a raccoon. The dog owner was able to get her pet to release the raccoon and then called 911 to be connected with the Orange County Animal Control officer on duty. Animal Control responded and removed the raccoon so that it could be tested for rabies.
The dog was currently vaccinated against rabies and will receive a booster shot pursuant to North Carolina statute. According to the law, if there is "a reasonable suspicion of exposure," a dog or cat with a current vaccination must receive a booster shot within 120 hours. Unvaccinated animals must be either destroyed or quarantined for a period of six months.
As a result of the positive result, communicable disease nurses from Orange County's Health Department will contact the resident to evaluate her risk of rabies exposure. The concern in this case is the possibility of secondary exposure from the owner's contact with her dog after the exposure. A decision about the post-exposure prophylaxis that protects people from rabies is based upon an assessment of all the factors involved in a situation of this kind.
This is the fourth positive rabies result for Orange County in 2011, and all four cases have involved raccoons.
Raccoons are a host species for rabies in this immediate area and region of the state. The other species that are most susceptible to getting rabies from raccoons are dogs and cats, groundhogs, skunks and foxes.
For low-cost rabies vaccination clinics, visit www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices online. The next clinic will be held from 4-7 p.m. April 21 at the Public Market House, 144 East Margaret Lane, Hillsborough.
