LILBURN, Ga. — Gwinnett County health officials are urging residents to use caution after a rabid raccoon attacked a dog on Monday.
Officials said the attack happened near West Johns Road in Lilburn, and subsequent testing after the bite confirmed the raccoon did have rabies.
The county health department warns that diseases like rabies can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from wild animals such as foxes and raccoons and that all pet owners should ensure that their pets are current on rabies vaccination.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 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. Unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal must be strictly quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month prior to being released.
If you or your child have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or suspected rabid animals, seek medical care immediately and let your healthcare provider know you've been exposed. Then, contact the Gwinnett County Health Department at 770-339-4260 and ask for the on-call epidemiologist.
To report the animal and have it picked up, call the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200 ext. 5576.
