Georgia Coastal Health District

June 18, 2014 – A feral kitten being fed by several neighbors in the Wilmington Park area of Wilmington Island has tested positive for rabies and there have been eight confirmed human exposures. Those exposed have been advised to contact their healthcare provider. It is possible that the kitten got rabies after being exposed to a potentially rabid raccoon. Savannah Chatham Animal Control is attempting to capture the raccoon along with up to six other cats in the same neighborhood that may have been exposed to the rabid kitten. Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health Division and Savannah Chatham Animal Control want to remind residents to always avoid contact with wild or stray animals, watch for unusual behavior in pets and wildlife, and get pets vaccinated against rabies.
Animal Control officers are advising anyone in the area that had such contact with the kitten, a raccoon or other animal, to contact them.
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 one to three years 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.