Rabies clinic scheduled June 18
Polk County’s second case of rabies this year has been confirmed after a raccoon attacked three dogs in Green Creek Saturday, May 28.
Polk County Animal Control Officer Michael Herman said he received confirmation from the state veterinarian lab on Friday, June 3 that the raccoon was rabid.
The dogs were all sent to a veterinarian for rabies treatment.
The attack occurred in the McDowell Road area, within a mile of the Chesnee Rd. site where a rabid fox attacked two people on May 8.
A rabies clinic is scheduled for Saturday, June 18 at the Green Creek Fire Department from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Herman said all Green Creek residents with dogs and cats are encouraged to get their animals rabies shots during the clinic.
The two recently confirmed rabies cases in Polk County are the first since Feb. 26, 2010, when a fox attacked two adults in the Hampton Court area of Columbus.
Foxes, coyotes, skunks, opossums and raccoons are common carriers of the rabies disease and people should try to avoid contact with these animals.
Rabies is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain and is fatal if not treated. Symtoms include malaise, headache and fever that progress into pain, violent movement and uncontrolled excitement, depression and hydrophobia.