Rabid fox attacks two people in Grovetown, rabid raccoon found
Two people were recently attacked by a rabid fox in Grovetown and another rapid racoon was found in Martinez.
On July 1, a fox attacked two people near Cheryl Ann Drive and Gordon Highway, according to a news release from the Columbia County Health Department.
The fox was killed by a property owner and collected by Columbia County Animal Services, according to the release. Columbia County Environmental Health sent the specimen to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory in Waycross for rabies testing and results confirmed the fox was positive for rabies.
The victims are receiving post-exposure rabies treatments, according to the health department.
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Rabid raccoon in Martinez
On June 29, a raccoon encountered pet dogs near Old Anderson Road in Martinez, according to the release.
The raccoon was sent to the GPHL in Waycross for rabies testing and results received by Columbia County Environmental Health confirmed the raccoon was positive for rabies, according to the health department. Fortunately, the dogs were up to date with their rabies vaccinations.
The Columbia County Health Department Environmental Health Section recommends the following:
Make sure your dogs and cats are currently vaccinated against rabies.
Do not let your pets roam free, they are more likely to have contact with a rabid wild animal.
Avoid feeding your animals outside, this draws stray and wild animals to your doorstep.
Teach your children not to approach wild animals and animals they don't know.
The Columbia County Health Department Environmental Health Section is asking all residents to make sure pets are vaccinated against rabies and to avoid all contact with wild animals, according to the release.
Report any contact of humans and domestic animals with wild animals to Columbia County Health Department Environmental Health Section office at 706-868-3330 or Columbia County Animal Services at 706-541-4077.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Rabid fox attacks two people in Grovetown