Northeast New Hanover County rabies cases rise

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit along with the New Hanover County Health Department have identified and investigated five cases of animals with rabies since August 2014.

A New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office news release says the affected area is the northeast portion of the county, including Murrayville, Ogden and Bayshore. Residents should always take precautions against rabies by avoiding wild or unfamiliar animals and ensuring their pets are up-to-date with rabies shots. Out of the 57 animals tested for rabies in New Hanover County in 2014, nine have come back positive.

Rabies cannot be cured once symptoms appear. Therefore if a person is potentially exposed by an animal that tests positive for rabies, they will have to receive rabies shots to prevent them from developing the disease.

Signs of rabies in animals may include daytime activity in normally nocturnal animals, wild animals approaching humans or other animals, and difficulty walking or moving. Some rabid animals may be very aggressive while others may be very weak and have excessive salivation. Keep people and pets away from animals with any unusual behavior. Report stray dogs and cats to the Animal Services Unit.