Rowan County Public Health reports there has been at least one confirmed rabies case this calendar year.
As temperatures begin to cool, Public Health is warning Rowan County residents that the danger posed by certain infections, like rabies, should still be cause for concern.
“Rabies is not considered a seasonal disease and can occur at any time of year,” said Public Health Nursing Director Meredith Littell.
Littell said that proximity to animals rather than seasonal temperatures is a higher determining factor for rabies exposure.
“However, exposures may be reported more frequently during warmer months when people and animals spend more time outdoors and are more likely to encounter wildlife,” Littell said.
Public Health recently asked residents to practice caution while dealing with animals at petting zoos.
“Petting zoos and animal exhibits provide valuable educational and recreational opportunities, but visitors should be aware close contact with animals can increase the risk of exposure to infectious diseases,” reads part of a message from Public Health. “While rabies transmission from livestock is uncommon, it can occur when saliva from an infected animal enters a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or broken skin.”
The North Carolina State Fair, which is scheduled to begin in a few weeks, features animal-related shows and petting zoos. Rowan Public Health said state health officials have already confirmed “multiple rabies cases in baby goats at a mobile petting zoo in North Carolina, some of which may have had direct contact with members of the public while infectious.”
According to Littell, the state has taken precautions at the Rowan County Fair, which started on Sept. 21.
“We are happy to note that the N.C. Department of Agriculture inspected the petting zoo at the Rowan County Fair and all animals at the event are (currently) on rabies vaccines,” Littell said, adding that there are a number of things petting zoo owners can do to mitigate risks.
“Petting zoo operators should ensure animals are healthy and appropriately vaccinated, protect livestock from contact with wild animals, monitor animals for signs of illness, and work closely with veterinarians to maintain animal health.”
If an animal is showing symptoms, the animal should be removed from the public pending an investigation from health officials. If rabies is suspected, they should also contact Animal Enforcement and follow guidance from animal health officials.
Despite the warnings, Littell said that people shouldn’t allow caution to turn into hysteria: “Avoiding petting zoos is generally not necessary. Rabies transmission from livestock is uncommon. Visitors should follow basic safety precautions, including washing their hands after animal contact and avoiding contact with animals that appear sick or behave unusually.”
That includes animals typically seen in wildlife.
“People should avoid contact with unfamiliar animals, especially wildlife such as raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks, which are among the most common rabies carriers in North Carolina,” Littell said.
While the state isn’t new to rabies infection among animals, Littell said human rabies cases are rare. The last human rabies case was reported in 2011.
Despite the rarity, Public Health warns that rabies cases in humans become more dire the longer an infected person waits for treatment.
“Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, but timely medical treatment following exposure is highly effective in preventing illness,” reads information from Public Health.
Littell said there are signs people should look out for.
“Early signs of rabies may include fever, headache, fatigue, and tingling, pain or irritation at the site of exposure,” Littell said. “Symptoms can appear weeks to months after infection. Once symptoms develop, the disease is almost always fatal.”
Littell said recognizing the illness in animals is another preventative measure. While many are familiar with symptoms like unusual aggression or foaming at the mouth, Littell said other symptoms include”extreme tameness… difficulty walking, staggering, weakness, paralysis or animals being active when they would normally be nocturnal.”
