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An incident involving a rabid skunk in the area of Helen Highway (Cleveland end) is the third rabies case in White County for 2020.
An incident involving a rabid skunk in the area of Helen Highway (Cleveland end) is the third rabies case in White County for 2020.
According to White County Environmental Health Manager Sean Sullivan, earlier this week home owners heard a commotion in their backyard when they came home. When they went to investigate, they discovered their dog was being aggressively attacked by a skunk and bitten on the hind quarters. The skunk was shot several times before it was killed. White County Environmental Health was notified the next day of the incident.
The skunk was sent to the Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur. The state lab shared confirmation of a positive rabies test on Friday, March 6.
Sullivan added that the dog was current on its rabies vaccination, so the animal will undergo a 45-day observational quarantine.
Positive alert signs have been posted in the area where the rabid skunk was located. Those who live in this area and have concerns of rabid animal exposure should contact White County Environmental Health at 706-348-7698 during normal business hours.
Animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their domesticated pets for rabies. Please call a local veterinarian for an appointment.