Georgia Coastal Health District

The Glynn County Health Department is alerting residents and visitors that a raccoon on Jekyll Island has tested positive for rabies. A family visiting Jekyll Island encountered a sick raccoon on January 17, 2026. The Jekyll Island Authority Conservation team was notified and was able to safely obtain the raccoon. The animal was observed to be exhibiting signs of lethargy and neurological impairment.

No bites or scratches were reported; however, adults involved did come into contact with the raccoon’s saliva while attempting to provide aid. All potentially exposed individuals have been notified of the positive test results and have received post-exposure guidance.

Rabies is a deadly virus that is primarily spread by infected animals. This is an important reminder that rabies can circulate in several species of wild animals in coastal Georgia, including raccoons, foxes, and bats. Residents are urged not to feed or handle wild animals or attempt to domesticate feral animals, and pet owners are reminded to ensure their animals get regular rabies shots.

The Glynn County Health Department’s Environmental Health office has these tips to protect you and your family from rabies:

• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster shot within one year and vaccination every 1-3 years depending on veterinary recommendation and vaccine used.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis. If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Glynn County Animal Control at 912-554-7500 and the Glynn County Health Department Environmental Health office at 912-279-2940.

The Glynn County Health Department is alerting residents and visitors that a bobcat on Jekyll Island has tested positive for rabies. The bobcat attacked an individual near the intersection of Shell Road and Beachview Drive on November 23rd. The Glynn County Health Department was notified and transported the bobcat for testing at the public health laboratory in Waycross where the animal tested positive for the disease. The individual who was attacked has been advised to seek follow-up medical care for rabies exposure.

This is an important reminder for residents and visitors to avoid contact with wild animals when possible, and for pet owners to keep their animals up to date on rabies vaccinations.

Several species of wild animals in coastal Georgia – including raccoons, foxes, and bats – can carry rabies. Feral cats and dogs can carry rabies as well. Rabies is a potentially deadly virus that is primarily spread by infected animals. The Glynn County Health Department Environmental Health office has these tips to protect you and your family from rabies:

• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster shot within one year and vaccination every 1-3 years depending on veterinary recommendation and vaccine used.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis. If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Glynn County Animal Control at 912-554-7500 and the Glynn County Health Department Environmental Health office at 912-279-2940.

Mosquito pool samples collected in Glynn County have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). Vector Disease Control International (VDCI), the county’s Mosquito Control contractor collected the positive samples in five locations in the Brunswick area, including at Blythe Island Regional Park, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the GP Paper Mill, and on New Castle Street.

Mosquito bites are more than just an itchy nuisance. WNV is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Many people who are infected with the virus have no symptoms. Some may have mild to moderate symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Severe cases can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

There is no vaccine or cure for WNV, so prevention is key. All residents should take steps to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate standing water. You can reduce your risk of infection by following the 5Ds of mosquito bite prevention:

• Dusk/Dawn: Avoid dusk and dawn activities during the summer when mosquitoes are most active.
• Dress: Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
• DEET: Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, which are both effective repellents against mosquito bites.
• Drain: Empty any containers holding standing water – buckets, barrels, flowerpots, tarps – because they are breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.
• Doors: Make sure doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly, and fix torn or damaged screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house.     

For more information on mosquito bite prevention, visit cdc.gov/mosquitoes.