Health officials alert neighbors
Chatsworth, GA – North Georgia Health District officials announced today that a skunk that fought with a dog in a neighborhood on Mt. Moriah Road in Chatsworth has tested positive for rabies.
The skunk was killed by the owner of the dog after it came into the owner’s yard and the two animals began fighting. The incident happened on August 30th and the skunk was tested by the Georgia Public Health Laboratory immediately after Labor Day.
No other pet or human exposure to the skunk was reported, however, Murray County Environmental Health staff are notifying neighbors of the incident and urging them to ensure their pets are currently vaccinated.
All residents are reminded to maintain rabies vaccinations in their pets and to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals, both wild and domesticated.
To learn more about rabies and how to protect against it, call the local county environmental health office. The number for Murray County Environmental Health is (706) 695-0266, ext. 371.
Additional rabies information is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/rabies.