BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The Glynn County Health Department says residents should be concerned about rabies in the area.
According to GCHD, a raccoon found in Brunswick on Sept. 8 tested positive for rabies.
The raccoon was tested after it confronted a family dog in its backyard near the Glynn Isles Shopping Center. The dog was not badly injured and has its rabies vaccination. No people were involved.
GCPD says signs of rabies are a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth and paralysis. If you are bitten, you should seek medical attention and contact Glynn County Animal Control at 912-554-7500 and the Glynn County Health Department Environmental Health office at 912-279-2940.
GCHD provided the following tips:
• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster shot within one year and vaccination every 1-3 years depending on veterinary recommendation and vaccine used.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.
