Rabid Dog in Houston County Causes Health Concerns

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- The Houston County Health Department is urging people who may have come in contact with a rabid dog to see a doctor.

The brown and white pit bull mix bit a woman in the face on Dunbar Road recently. The dog was put down immediately, but the health department says anyone who handled her in that area of Houston County needs to see a physician to find out if they need to be treated.

This is the Public Health Notice distributed by the North Central Health District

Public Health Notice

On May 16, 2013 a resident in northern Houston County, Dunbar Road area, was bitten while in their yard by a stray dog.  The brown and white female pit mix had exhibited regular behavior prior to the bite but bit the person in the face while playing with the dog. The Lab reported today that the dog tested positive for the rabies virus.

If you have pets that are not currently vaccinated against rabies, it is very important that you get your animals vaccinated, both dogs and cats.  Should your animal exhibit any strange behavior please contact the Houston County Health Department or your local animal control. If you think you may have come into contact with the dog’s saliva, please notify your primary care physician or present to the emergency room.

Rabies: What You Need to Know
· Rabies is a viral infection transmitted in the saliva of infected animals.
· Rabies is transmitted by a bite or possibly by contamination of an open cut, or through mucous membranes such as the eyes or mouth.
· Wild animals are the most likely potential source of rabies for both humans and pets
· If you are exposed to rabies, prompt care to the wound and appropriate post exposure vaccines can effectively prevent the disease.  Without the vaccine, rabies is almost always fatal.

Most common types of Wild animals found to have rabies
· Raccoons
· Skunks
· Foxes
· Bobcats
· Woodchucks
· Groundhogs
· Bats

WILD Animals that are not considered a rabies risk
· Squirrels
· Rats, Mice
· Opossums
· Hamsters
· Guinea Pigs
· Gerbils
· Chipmunks
· Rabbits
How to protect yourself and your pet

· Have your pet vaccinated against rabies
· Do not feed or handle wild animals
· Avoid contact with stray pets or any animal exhibiting unusual behaviors
· Learn how to bat-proof your home
· Teach your children how to protect themselves

This story has been revised to clarify the reported color of the dog.