- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Public health officials canvassing area with warning flyers
Dalton, GA – A Whitfield County dog was recently bitten by a raccoon that has since tested positive for rabies. The dog was unvaccinated and must now undergo a six-month quarantine.
The dog was attacked by the raccoon during the evening of February 21st at a residence on Dogwood Drive off Pine Hill Road and East Morris Street in Dalton. The dog fought back and killed the raccoon.
The raccoon was sent to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for rabies testing the next day and the positive results were reported to local officials on the afternoon of February 23rd.
Other unvaccinated dogs were on the property but were not known to have been bitten by the raccoon.
Officials of Whitfield County Environmental Health and Whitfield County Animal Control are canvassing the area with flyers that warn residents of the presence of rabies.
The owner of the bitten dog has chosen to keep the pet, so it will be given a rabies vaccination and placed in strict quarantine inside a double enclosure for six months with no human contact. Until the enclosure is ready, the dog will be kept at the Whitfield County Animal Control facility.
The remaining dogs will be vaccinated twice over a two-month period but not placed in quarantine.
Health officials continue to stress the importance of maintaining current rabies vaccinations in pets.
Additionally, residents should be wary of unfamiliar animals; and, parents should take special care to inform their children about rabies, telling children to avoid stray dogs and cats, as well as wild animals, and to report any such contacts or bites at once.
Ray King, director of Environmental Health for the North Georgia Health District, said, “The chance of dying from rabies is almost one hundred percent if the exposed person is not given preventive treatments soon after exposure. Rabies is a horrible way to die.”
King added, “Raccoons are much more common in urban areas than most persons realize, going out late each night on regular routes to feed on scraps and whatever humans leave available.”
Raccoons are the most common animal found with rabies in Georgia, but many other species can contract rabies such as skunks, foxes, bobcats, coyotes and bats. Livestock can also contract rabies from wild animals and it is strongly recommended that livestock that have regular contact with humans also be vaccinated.
Suspicious animals that appear aggressive or sick should be immediately reported to Whitfield County Animal Control at (706) 278-2018 or to the Whitfield County Environmental Health Office at (706) 272-2005.
- Hits: 4573
- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Health officials warn residents to be wary, take precautions
Jasper, GA – A rabid raccoon recently attacked a woman as she was getting into her car in the Bent Tree Community of Jasper, Georgia.
On the morning of February 22nd, the woman had walked from her house to her car, when the raccoon came out from underneath the vehicle and started biting her leg. The woman kicked the raccoon in the head, stunning it. She was then aided by the property security guard in killing the aggressive animal.
Pickens County Environmental Health officials submitted the raccoon to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for rabies testing and the positive results were obtained the following day, February 23rd.
The bitten woman began anti-rabies treatments at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital on the evening of February 23rd.
Residents of the Bent Tree Community and all areas of Pickens County should be aware of wild animals behaving aggressively or appearing to be sick. A number of wild animal species can contract rabies such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats and bats.
Stray dogs and cats should also be avoided and children should be educated on these facts about rabies:
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Have all your unvaccinated pets vaccinated against rabies by your local veterinarian and make sure your pets stay current on rabies vaccinations.
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Unvaccinated pets exposed to rabies must either be destroyed or placed in strict quarantine for six months.
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It is strongly recommended that valuable livestock animals having contact with humans be vaccinated against rabies.
For questions about rabies or to report a potentially rabid animal, call the Pickens County Environmental Health Office at (706) 253-0900 or Pickens County Animal Control at (706) 253-8988. If reporting a case during times when these offices are closed, call 911.
- Hits: 5205
- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
Prepare your child for the upcoming school year!
Pickens County Health Department presents
Pre-K Registration HEALTH CLINIC on Tuesday, February 14th from 1 to 6 p.m.
AND
Kindergarten Registration HEALTH CLINIC on Tuesday, March 21st from 1 to 6 p.m.
The Pickens County Health Department is located at 60 Health Way in Jasper.
These clinics are the One-Stop Spot for school students’ state health requirements. The clinics offer required Hearing, Dental, Vision and BMI/Nutrition Screenings and provide Immunizations for school-age children. The clinics accept Medicaid (including AmeriGroup, PeachState and WellCare) and PeachCare for Kids. For more information or to check on additional insurances accepted, please call (706) 253-2821.
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