Rabies Outbreak in Augusta, GA
Posted 04 November, 2011 by Original story by Rob Pavey The Augusta Chronicle with
The Augusta Chronicle and other news outlets are reporting that back to back rabies cases has the Augusta, GA area health department concerned the disease could be on the rise.
Channel 9 News says rabies cases in animals is the highest it's been in 10 years.
This week, the rabies disease was confirmed in a stray cat that attacked and scratched a woman – the first such case in a cat in recent memory.
The cat case comes after confirmation of the disease in a Labrador retriever hit by a school bus in Columbia County’s Grovetown area Oct. 17.
The dog, a 2-year-old family pet that had not been vaccinated, bit one of several people who tried to help after the accident, said Linda Glascock, the county’s animal services manager. It was euthanized by a veterinarian and later tested positive for rabies.
“It’s the first dog case here in at least 25 or 30 years,” Glascock said. “People say it’s hard to believe, especially since this was a pet, with no symptoms, in a family with three children.”
"It is critical that pet owners maintain up-to-date immunizations," Glascock said.
Cases where a pet that has not been vaccinated has been exposed to a rabid animal can result in having the pet euthanized.
“I tell people the key to everything is vaccinations, vaccinations, vaccinations,” she said.
Veterinarians agree, the only true way to protect your pet and your family is to be certain your puppy or kitten, dog or cat, is up to date on rabies shots. PawsPlus offers the rabies vaccines for as little as $10 ($12 in Georgia) at their low-cost dog and cat veterinary clinics all over the country.
Get your low-cost rabies vaccinations now!
Read the entire August Chronicle article here.
Channel 12 News
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