Public health officials encouraging vigilance with rabies

ALBANY — Good intentions turned into tragedy when a Southwest Georgia woman using an online service adopted a dog that turned out to have rabies while the person’s existing pets didn’t have up-to-date vaccinations, prompting officials to remind people the importance of getting vaccinated.

“As a result, this well-intentioned individual ended up losing beloved pets that had been exposed and could not be saved,” said Southwest Public Health District Environmental Health Director Dewayne Tanner. “That was not an outcome anybody wanted.”

Positive rabies cases occur occasionally in the 14-county health district, with the activity fluctuating from year to year. From 2009 through 2014, there have been up to two positive samples annually — with the two from 2013 resulting in seven exposures.

“I wouldn’t call it a common thing … there are higher years than others,” said James Davis, environmental health county health manager for Dougherty County Environmental Health.

Raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, bobcats and coyotes are among the wild animals most likely to harbor the infection, which can be passed on when they come into contact with strays or unvaccinated pets. During the spring, as the weather is getting warmer, more wild animals are stirring and more people and pets are spending time outdoors – increasing the potential for rabies to spread.

“Folks are out walking pets. You are more active, and wild animals (are more active),” said Davis. “(That presents) opportunities for exposure.

“Avoid stray pets, or pets you don’t know. It happens every year … and we don’t know (the animal’s rabies status), so the person will have to undergo prophylaxis treatment.”

Ultimately, the best protection against rabies is to vaccinate pets and livestock. Dogs, cats and ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated, but horses and livestock considered valuable should also be inoculated.

An animal showing odd behavior, such as being out during daytime or acting aggressively — or appearing to be losing neurological control — could potentially be rabid. The symptoms can resemble distemper, but there is no way to know for sure without testing.

“We assume the worst and assume its rabies,” Davis said. “There is no way to know for sure without a lab result.”

Testing for rabies in animals is evaluation of the brain tissue, which means it can only be done after the animal has died.

People bitten by wild animals or strays should seek immediate medical attention and contact their county health department and area animal control and/or law enforcement. When animals with rabies bite or scratch people, or if the animal’s rabies status is unknown, the person bitten has to face the prophylaxis treatment — which involves a series of shots to prevent the disease from developing.

“They should not attempt to catch the animal themselves,” Tanner stressed. “The authorities will handle that so that it can be tested for rabies.”

Rabies is fatal in humans if untreated, but almost completely preventable when prompt action is taken. “Rabies is one of those things that, when you see symptoms, it’s too late,” Davis said. “You have to be treated immediately.”

In almost all cases in which an unvaccinated animal is known to be exposed, the animal is euthanized, Davis said.

Public Health officials would not release any further information regarding the recent Southwest Georgia case, other than to say that woman was also exposed.