Hall Co. Reports Another Rabies Case

HALL COUNTY, Ga. (MyFOX ATLANTA) - Hall County is dealing with another case of rabies this year. The latest case has one of their animal control workers seeking treatment. Those who deal with rabies are now warning metro residents about the deadly disease since typically the rates of cases rise in the spring and summer.

Hall County had a huge spike in rabies cases last year and already this year they've seen half a dozen animals that have tested the positive.

All of the cases have involved raccoons. The most recent case came a week ago.

"[The raccoon] had come in contact with a domestic animal [and it was] staggering around weak, walking in circles," said Mike Ledford of Hall County Animal Control.

Neighbors reported seeing the animal stumbling around near Clermont, off of Nix Road at Shoal Creek. When animal control officers went to pick up the deceased raccoon, a worker cut himself with the same tool he used to handle the animal.

Ledford said having his employee exposed to a rabid raccoon was scary business.

"He bagged the animal, brought it back to the shelter, started the process of shipping it to the CDC and during that process is when he was nicked with the blade," Ledford said.

Animal control officers in Hall County are now warning people in the area where the most recent rabies case was detected.

"There is no cure once you contract the virus," Ledford said.

Doctors with the Georgia Poison Center said it is important to get pets vaccinated and to seek treatment if you are bitten because once rabies symptoms show, the disease is fatal.

Related Link: What are Symptoms and Signs of Rabies?

After last year's 48 confirmed rabies cases in Hall County, animal control workers aren't taking any chances about warning the public to be on the lookout.

"If they see any wild animals acting [abnormally], staggering around, acting funny, in times of day they wouldn't normally see them contact our animal control officers and let them know," Ledford said.

Animal control workers advise people to vaccinate your pets and reduce their exposure to wildlife.

Most of the human cases of rabies happen when dogs get the disease and then bite humans.

Related Link: CDC Rabies Information