Georgia Coastal Health District

Raccoons in two different areas of Chatham County have tested positive for rabies. The first, on Talahi Island, was approached by neighborhood children who thought the animal looked sick and tried to feed it to make it feel better. The second, in Pooler, was observed acting strangely and neighbors called police. A family dog attacked and killed the raccoon before authorities arrived. The dog is up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.

Environmental Health officials want to reiterate how important it is to talk to children about staying away from animals they don’t know, either wild or domestic. In addition, residents are encouraged to calling the Chatham County Environmental Health division at 356-2160 or Chatham County Animal Control at 525-2408 if they see any animal exhibiting abnormal behavior. 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.

Several species of wild animals that are native to coastal Georgia – including raccoons, foxes, and bats – can carry rabies. Rabies is a potentially deadly virus that is primarily spread by infected animals. The Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health Division offers 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 by four months of age, followed by a booster shot one year later, and another one every year as prescribed by your veterinarian.
• 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.

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been identified in a mosquito pool in Chatham County and additional evidence that Eastern Equine Encephalitis is circulating in the mosquito population here has also been detected, according to Chatham County Mosquito Control. Although there has not been a lot of mosquito-borne virus activity in Chatham County to date, Chatham County Health Department officials encourage residents to continue taking precautions to avoid mosquitoes.

“The takeaway here is that the best way to avoid any and all mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites,” said Coastal Health District Health Director, Diane Weems, M.D.

WNV, EEE, and Chikungunya are all transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus are more likely to bite during the evening, night, and early morning. About 80 percent of people infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all; however, cases can range from mild to severe.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water which is why it is important to remove containers or other items that can hold water from the yard. The following 5 Ds of Prevention can help lessen the risk of getting bitten:

Dusk/Dawn – Mosquitoes carrying WNV usually bite at dusk and dawn, so avoid or limit outdoor activity at these times.
Dress – Wear loose-fitting, long sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed.
DEET – Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing the DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
Drain – Empty any containers holding standing water because they are excellent 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.

A raccoon that entered the garage of a home in Wilmington Park on Wilmington Island has tested positive for rabies. The family dog, which is up-to-date on his rabies vaccination, was in a crate in the garage at the time. Although it isn’t known if there was any interaction between the dog and raccoon, the dog will receive a rabies booster as a precaution.

Several species of wild animals that are native to coastal Georgia – including raccoons, foxes, and bats – can carry rabies. Rabies is a potentially deadly virus that is primarily spread by infected animals. 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.

The Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health Division offers 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 by four months of age, followed by a booster shot one year later, and another one every year as prescribed by your veterinarian.
• 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.

If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Chatham County Animal Control at 525-2408 and the Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health Division at 356-2160.

Chatham County Mosquito Control has evidence that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus is circulating in the mosquito population and as a result, Chatham County Health Department officials encourage residents to continue taking precautions against mosquito bites. Although EEE infection in humans is rare, finding EEE in the mosquito population indicates the potential of an increased risk to humans.

Horses are susceptible to EEE which is a mosquito-borne virus that causes swelling of the brain. In horses, it is fatal 70 to 90 percent of the time. There is a vaccine that can protect horses from EEE and horse owners are encouraged to get their animals vaccinated. Horse and large animal owners are also encouraged to clean out watering sources, such as buckets and troughs, every three to four days to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there.

West Nile Virus and the Chikungunya virus are also transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. About 80 percent of people infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all; however, cases can range from mild to severe. Mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus are more likely to bite during the evening, night, and early morning. The most common symptoms of Chikungunya are fever and joint pain and symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.  No human cases of EEE, WNV, or Chikungunya have been reported in the Coastal Health District.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water which is why it is important to remove containers or other items that can hold water from the yard. The following tips can help lessen the risk of getting bitten by mosquitoes:

• DRAIN all standing water.
• Avoid DAWN and DUSK when mosquitoes are most active.
• DRESS appropriately in long sleeves and pants.
• DEFEND or DEET yourself against mosquitoes with an effective repellent. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide long lasting protection.
• DOORS and windows should be in good condition.

The Chatham County Health Department will offer free eye, ear, dental, and nutrition screenings for Chatham County school students from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, July 31. Normally a $30 fee applies when getting the screening at the health department.The screenings will take place at the Chatham County Health Department located at 1395 Eisenhower Drive in Savannah. Immunizations will be provided at normal cost.

Students entering a Georgia school for the first time – no matter what the grade level –  must have a completed Certificate of Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition screening form. “First time” means never enrolled in a Georgia school before at any time in their lives.

No appointment is necessary and students will be seen on a first come, first served basis. For additional information, call the Chatham County Health Department at 356-2441.

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