Raccoon In Decatur Had Rabies

DECATUR, GA — A raccoon captured this week in Decatur tested positive for rabies, showing that the dangerous, animal-borne virus is active in the area.

County officials say the rabid raccoon was captured Tuesday on Idlewild Road. So far this year, 11 cases of rabies in raccoons have been confirmed in DeKalb County.

This cases have been in Dunwoody, Decatur, Tucker, Stone Mountain, Avondale Estates and Lithonia. County officials say it is not unusual for several cases to be reported each year.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Residents are encouraged to:

• Make sure their pets are up to date on vaccinations.
• Eliminate outdoor pet-feeding stations and access to garbage cans.
• Seek medical attention immediately if scratched or bitten by an animal.
• Report unusual behavior by pets to DeKalb County Animal Control.

Animal control only will conduct wild-animal trapping if a pet or person has been bitten or scratched.

A virus that affects the brain, rabies is usually passed from animal to animal, but can also be passed from animals to people. The virus spreads through saliva, usually from an animal bite. Vaccinations are effective in preventing humans and pets from getting the virus.

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

Photo via Shutterstock