Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and the Gwinnett County Health Department have advised residents to use caution and avoid any animals that appear to be acting unusually after a cat tested positive for the rabies virus.
A rabid cat reportedly bit a person near the 3600 block of Fence Road in Auburn on February 26. Testing following the incident confirmed the cat was rabid, according to a release from Gwinnett County.
Diseases like rabies can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from wild animals such as foxes and raccoons. The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system, and is almost always fatal in humans if untreated. Early symptoms of rabies in people include fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort, according to the CDC.
Officials pet owners in the area to ensure that their pets are current on their rabies vaccination, citing that the National Association of State Health Veterinarians says unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal must be strictly quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month prior to being released.
Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a stray animal or a suspected rabid animal should seek immediate preventive treatment.
Then, contact the Gwinnett County Health Department at 770-339-4260 and ask for the on-call epidemiologist.
To report the animal and have it picked up, please call the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200 ext. 5576; for after-hours assistance, contact non-emergency Dispatch at 770-513-5700.
