Rabies circulating Northeast Georgia

CLEVELAND — White County has its first positive rabies alert of 2018.

Sean Sullivan, the environmental health manager for the county, said two dogs recently had contact with a rabid raccoon in the Ray Pardue Road area of the county.

The raccoon was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab-Virology Section in Decatur for testing.

Sullivan said White County Environmental Health was notified Monday that the raccoon tested positive for rabies. Positive rabies alert signs have been posted in the area.

Anyone who lives in the area where the raccoon was found who has concerns about possible exposure should call White County Environmental Health at (706) 348-7698 during normal business hours.

The two dogs involved are current on their rabies vaccinations and are in quarantine.

Officials encourage animal owners to vaccinate their domesticated pets for rabies.