NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT

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  • NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

    NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gilmer County Environmental Health officials reported that two dogs recently fought with a raccoon that later tested positive for rabies in the Lake Paul area.raccoon

“On October 8th, 2 male dogs, one chocolate lab and one mix collie, fought with a rabid raccoon in the area of Old Hwy 5 South and Hwy 382 near Lake Paul,” stated Andrea Wheeler, manager of the local environmental health office. “The two male dogs were not current on their rabies vaccinations. The owner of the dogs shot the raccoon and submitted it for testing.”

According to Ms. Wheeler, the two dogs were not current on their rabies vaccinations.

“Our office was notified on October 13th of the positive results,” Ms. Wheeler said. “Both dogs were euthanized on the morning of October 15th.”

No human exposure occurred.

“Every raccoon that this office has submitted for testing this year has come back positive for rabies,” said Ms. Wheeler. She advised, “Please vaccinate your pets and keep them current.”

For more information about rabies, call the Gilmer County Environmental Health Department at (706) 635-6050, or log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov.

Persons who may be exposed to rabies may also call Georgia Poison Control at 1-800 - 222-1222 if other local resources cannot be reached.