Second case of rabies confirmed in Brunswick County

The second case of rabies in Brunswick County for 2010 has been confirmed. On Wednesday evening, March 3, 2010, a fox that was acting aggressive toward a German Shepherd from the Dixie Lane area in Supply was shot by the dog’s owner. The fox was sent to the State Lab on Thursday and the results came back positive for rabies. The dog has been humanely euthanized since the dog’s rabies vaccination has expired.

This is the second case in two days where the dog was not vaccinated properly. All pet owners are encouraged to have their dogs and cats rabies vaccination current because you never know when your pet may come in contact with a rabid animal.

Rabies is caused by a virus that lives in the saliva of a rabid animal. Rabies is usually transmitted through an animal bite but it is also possible to catch it if the animal’s saliva gets into a cut on your skin or in your eyes, nose, or mouth. All mammals, including people, can catch rabies but the four main animals that carry rabies are raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. You can not tell for sure if an animal has rabies just by looking. You should never try to touch or feed wild animals or stray cats and dogs.

Brunswick Animal Services is sponsoring a Rabies Clinic at local veterinarians on April 10, 2010 with a reduced cost of $6 for the vaccine. All dog and cat owners are encouraged to attend. Call Animal Services at 754-8204 for further information concerning other rabies clinics in this area.

INFORMATION FROM A NEWS RELEASE SENT TO THE WWAY NEWSCHANNEL 3 NEWSROOM.