May 25, 2013
WASHINGTON COUNTY – The Washington County Health Department is investing a case or cases of rabies in domestic cats.
A resident of Washington County moved to south Florida. A neighbor who lives in Graceville (Jackson County) was feeding the resident’s four cats and noticed that they appeared sick. One cat was taken to a veterinarian and tested positive for rabies. Two of the three remaining cats were euthanized. The fourth cat had been transported to Holmes County and has disappeared. Two residents of Jackson County and one resident in Alabama are receiving rabies vaccine as a precautionary measure.
Neighbors reported seeing other cats feeding with the original four cats and report many stray cats in the area. Dogs and other animals could also have been exposed. The area in question is in northern Washington County, just south of the Jackson County line near Highway 77.
The Washington County Health Department would like to remind all residents to avoid wild or stray animals. One has no way of knowing if the animal is vaccinated or infected with some disease. Don’t feed stray or wild animals. And, vaccinate your pets.
