2-year-old bitten by rabid raccoon while trying to pet it, Georgia officials say
Officials in one Georgia county are urging caution after a rabid raccoon bit a 2-year-old trying to pet it, news outlets reported.
It happened Friday, July 28, in Dacula, according to a news release from Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and officials with the county’s health department.
The raccoon later tested positive for rabies, officials said.
Residents are advised to steer clear of animals behaving unusually and ensure their pets are up to date on vaccinations after a spate of incidents involving rabid animals.
It marks the fourth time this year an animal has tested positive for rabies in Gwinnett County, WXIA reported.
In May, someone was attacked by a rabid cat along a road in Dacula, according to WAGA. A second person was bitten by a cat with rabies in Buford two weeks later, and officials confirmed a kitten tested positive for the virus in nearby Lawrenceville in July, the station reported.
“If you or your child have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal suspected of having rabies, preventive treatment for rabies is necessary,” animal welfare officials said in a statement.
What to know about rabies
Rabies is a virus typically spread to people and pets through bites or scratches from an infected animal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It’s mostly carried by wildlife including bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks, officials say. The virus impacts the central nervous system and can cause disease in the brain, leading to death if a person doesn’t seek prompt medical care.
Those who believe they’ve been exposed to rabies should wash their wounds with soap and water and go see a healthcare provider.
To reduce risk of exposure, the CDC advises:
- Vaccinating pets against rabies
- Avoiding wildlife and unfamiliar animals
- Keeping pets indoors
Dacula is about 40 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.
This story was originally published August 1, 2023 at 10:40 AM with the headline "2-year-old bitten by rabid raccoon while trying to pet it, Georgia officials say."