CLEVELAND — White County has its fourth positive rabies case for 2018. In an email notice Tuesday afternoon, White County Environmental Health Manager Sean Sullivan reported that a dog had contact recently with a rabid raccoon in the Ed’s Drive area.
The raccoon was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab — Virology Section in Decatur. White County Environmental Health was notified Tuesday the raccoon tested positive for rabies.
According to Sullivan, the homeowners were alerted to something outside by their dog Thursday, March 22. When the homeowners went outside to see what it was, they found a raccoon in the fenced goat lot. Their dog ran into the goat lot and the raccoon attacked and bit the dog.
The homeowner stated they were unsure if the raccoon had attacked any of the goats, but did not see anything to indicate that it had. The homeowner put the raccoon down and contacted White County Environmental Health Department.
Sullivan said all of this year’s rabies cases have been in the same general area.
“All these are in about a two-mile radius as the crow flies within the Asbestos area of the county, Asbestos Road,” Sullivan said. “They are concentrated or seem to be in this area. They have all been raccoons this year, so far,” said Sullivan.
The latest case was off Albert Reid Road north of Cleveland.
“As the public becomes more aware, we get more reports,” Sullivan said. “People are more aware of what they should be looking for. They’re more aware that maybe they should report that exposure to their dog. So, with more reports that we get, the more animals we test, the more positives we’re going to get. So, I do think that part of this is due to the fact that people are paying attention.”
Sullivan encourages White County residents to call (706) 348-7698 with any questions.
Positive rabies alert signs will be posted in the area where the rabid raccoon was located.
