Whitfield reports 7th case of rabies in a year

Whitfield County, Ga., authorities on Wednesday confirmed the seventh case of rabies in the county in less than a year, saying the public should be taking every precaution to combat the disease.

A rabid fox was found Wednesday afternoon less than 500 yards away from Cohutta Elementary School, and employees at the Whitfield County animal shelter are on the lookout for more animals exhibiting symptoms of rabies.

“We have actually had three skunks, two raccoons, a cat and now a fox since June or July of last year,” rabies control officer David Hedden said. “We’ve actually had more in this year than we’ve had in a very long time.”

Hedden theorized that the rash of diseased animals is a holdover result of the wildfires last year. Animals were pushed out of their usual territories in surrounding mountains down into areas more densely populated by humans.

He said it may be that the overall rate of rabies hasn’t actually increased, but reporting has as humans have more contact with wild animals that otherwise would have died far away.

“When an animal gets into that stage where they’re going to attack, they’re going to die in the next couple of days anyway,” Hedden said.

No matter the reason for the increased rabies numbers, Hedden said the situation is deadly serious.

“People need to be scared. It’s not pretty,” he said. “We’re just going to hope to goodness nobody else gets attacked.”

Don Garrett, director of the animal shelter, agreed and said the disease is expensive to reverse and can be remedied only in the early stages.

“Once the symptoms begin, there’s no reversing it. You are dead,” he said. “It’s a thing that people don’t realize is dangerous because they don’t come into contact with it.”

Authorities are focusing on educating the public about the dangers of rabies and asking anyone who sees something concerning to call for professional help.

In the meantime, pet owners can get their pets vaccinated, which is a requirement under Georgia law. On May 6, several clinics and animal hospitals will be providing vaccinations at reduced rates through the morning and early afternoon.

Pet owners can protect their pets and themselves by getting the vaccination, which costs about $12 at most locations.