CLEVELAND — White County Public Health officials report there have been two separate cases of rabies confirmed in the county.
A dog had contact recently with a rabid raccoon in the Dean Mountain Road area and two dogs had contact recently with a rabid skunk in the Arthur Seabolt Road area, stated White County Public Safety Director David Murphy in a news release.
Both suspected animals were shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab —Virology Section in Decatur for testing.
Sean Sullivan, White County Environmental Health manager, said they were notified Monday that both tested positive for rabies.
These are the first cases of rabies confirmed in the county this year, Murphy said,
Positive alert signs will be posted in the area where the rabid raccoon and skunk were located.
Residents who live in the immediate 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.
