Cherokee County Environmental Health officials announced today that another raccoon in the county has tested positive for rabies. This is the third confirmed case of rabies among raccoons in the county so far this year. Rabies was also confirmed recently in a stray kitten found in Cherokee County near the Cobb County line.

Whitfield County Environmental Health Manager Chad Mulkey announced today that Georgia State Laboratory results have confirmed rabies in a raccoon that bit a young boy at Al Rollins Park yesterday. Officials believe other children may have been scratched by the raccoon and are urging parents to contact them if they believe their child could have been exposed.

According to Mr. Mulkey, “On Tuesday, June 29, a large male raccoon attacked a little boy playing in the water near a culvert at Al Rollins Park off of Threadmill Road. The little boy's dad beat the raccoon off with a rock and killed it.”

Diane Franklin, Whitfield County Animal Control Officer, was called immediately and took the raccoon’s head for rabies testing at the state lab. The positive test results were returned late today.

Diane Franklin, Whitfield County Animal Control Officer, was called immediately and took the raccoon’s head for rabies testing at the state lab. The positive test results were returned late today.

Ms. Franklin and local health officials have reason to believe other children may have come into contact with the raccoon; therefore, Whitfield County Environmental Health staff are posting flyers in the Al Rollins Park area asking residents to call if they believe they or their children were exposed. Those individuals are urged to contact Diane Franklin at the Whitfield County Animal Shelter at (706) 278-2018 or by dialing (706) 463-0463, or they may call Chad Mulkey at the Whitfield County Environmental Health office at (706) 272-2005.

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Cherokee County Environmental Health officials announced that state lab results recently confirmed two cases of rabies in the county.

Both cases involved separate incidents in which animals were exposed to infected raccoons. No human exposures were reported.

For Youths Kindergarten thru 12th grade!

July 5 - 16, 2010 8am - 1pm @ Dalton Recreation Center

1st 50 to register may participate, so call NOW at (706)281-2326 to hold your spot!

FREE Nutrition and Physical Activity Camp for Youth!

FREE Breakfast and Lunch provided by Seamless Summer Nutrition Program!

FREE T-Shirt for all 50 participants!

FREE Swim from 1pm - 2pm each day of camp!

Health department clinics in the North Georgia Health District will change hours of operation on July 5, 2010. The North Georgia Health District is comprised of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties.

Gilmer County environmental health officials announced today that a raccoon in the county recently tested positive for rabies.

Andrea Wheeler of the Gilmer County Environmental Health Department stated, “On May 25, 2010, a Golden Retriever Mix came into contact with a raccoon that tested positive for rabies on May 26, 2010. The dog has a life-long history of rabies vaccinations and received a rabies booster vaccination and will be observed at home for 45 days.”