Board of Health addresses Rabies in Rabun

At the last regularly scheduled Rabun County Board of Health meeting, Environmental Health Officer James Reece educated the board and those in attendance on rabies.

According to Reece, there were 10 rabies cases from last quarter, three of which were tested positive for rabies within Rabun County.

According to the health department, the occurrence of rabies among humans has declined over the years, but the disease continues among wild animals.

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted in the saliva of infected mammals. The virus enters the central nervous system of the host causing an inflammation of the brain that is almost always fatal. The most common carriers of rabies in the United States are raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes and bats.

Rabies is transmitted only when the virus is introduced into bite wounds, open cuts in the skin or onto mucous membranes, according to the health department.

A new rabies manual has been issued for environmental health within the health department. The board was given a copy of the updated rules for future meetings. With the board’s approval, public comment will be taken for several months. The board will then be given a final draft to adopt.

Other items discussed during the meeting, two health educators have been hired. One works with chronic diseases and the other works with youth. They will be available to help with events at the health department.

The Rabun County Board of Health will meet again next Wednesday, December, 18 at 3 p.m. at the Rabun County Health Department.