Animal Welfare officials in Gwinnett County say that residents in Lilburn should be advised for a recent discovery of a rabid raccoon.
A press release Thursday from Gwinnett officials says that on Monday, September 23, a raccoon near Catamount Way in Lilburn tested positive for rabies after biting a resident. The victim received immediate medical attention.
Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and GNR Public Health advise residents to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways.
Diseases like rabies can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from wild animals such as foxes and raccoons. All pet owners should ensure that their pets are current on rabies vaccination.
According to the National Association of State Health Veterinarians, unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal must be strictly quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month prior to being released.
