Rabies warning issued in Durham County

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Tags:

durham county, rabies, local/state

DURHAM COUNTY (WTVD) -- Health officials announced Tuesday that they have confirmed this year's first and second rabies cases in Durham County.

On Jan. 29, an animal services officer was called to a home in the 2300 block of Strawberry Lane in Durham after a woman found a dead raccoon in her front yard.

The officer said the animal appeared to have been killed by a dog, but took to the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health to have it tested for the rabies virus. The lab later confirmed the raccoon was infected.

In the second case, animal services officers responded to the 2300 block of Alabama Avenue on Feb.2 when a resident reported a dead raccoon in his yard.

The raccoon was sent to the state laboratory where it also tested positive for the rabies virus.

There were no confirmed rabies cases in Durham County in 2012.

Officials with the Durham County Sheriff's Animal Services Division are advising residents to make sure their pets' rabies vaccinations are up to date.

State law requires any dog, cat, or ferret four months and older to be vaccinated.

The Animal Services Division on Glenn Road in Durham is offering rabies vaccines every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. for $15 to residents.

No appointment is necessary, but photo identification is required and payments must be made in cash. For more information call (919) 560-0630.