Gwinnett County officials are warning residents to be aware of the dangers of rabies after a bat tested positive for rabies after it was found deceased in a residence on Aug. 28 near Stockton Walk Lane in Snellville.
“Diseases like rabies can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from wild animals such as foxes and bats,” officials noted, with Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and GNR Public Health advising residents to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways.
According to a press release from Gwinnett County, all pet owners should ensure that their pets are current on rabies vaccination. According to the National Association of State Health Veterinarians, unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal must be strictly quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month prior to being released.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rabies virus attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal in humans if untreated. Early symptoms of rabies in people include fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort.
If you have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or suspected rabid animal, immediate preventive treatment is necessary. You are urged to seek medical care immediately and inform the health care provider of the exposure. Then, contact GNR Public Health at 770.339.4260 and ask for the on-call epidemiologist.
To report an animal behaving in an unusual way and have it picked up, call the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770.339.3200, ext. 5576.
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