Confirmed rabies case in Haw Creek

Press release:

Buncombe County Health and Human Services wants to notify the public of a rabies case in the Haw Creek area of Buncombe County. An unvaccinated family dog was attacked by a raccoon that tested positive for rabies.

Contact with a rabid animal presents a risk of exposure to rabies. If you live in the Haw Creek area and had contact with an animal that was acting abnormally (acting unusually aggressive or salivating) it is extremely important that you contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office at 250-6670 so your situation can be assessed.

Rabies is caused by a virus that is spread through the saliva of an infected animal.  When contracted by humans, rabies is deadly unless early treatment is sought.  There is no cure once symptoms develop, so immediate treatment is critical. Rabies is found commonly in wildlife so it is important to protect yourself and your family pets.

BCHHS makes the following recommendations to prevent the spread of rabies:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all cats, ferrets, and dogs.  If your pet’s vaccinations have expired or you cannot readily locate proof of current rabies vaccinations, get your pets to a veterinarian and have them vaccinated IMMEDIATELY.
• Stay away from wild animals and any animal you don’t know. Keep children and pets away from these animals. Don’t try to feed, touch, or play with a wild animal.
• Don’t allow pets to run at large.
• Secure garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids, and take trash containers out in the morning of pick up, not the night before.  Trash can attract wild animals that may be carrying rabies.
• Avoid contact with bats.  If you find a bat during daylight hours, it is most likely unhealthy and should not be touched.  If you find a bat in your home, remove yourself from the area and call Buncombe County Animal Control at 250-6670.
• Keep bird-feeder areas clean, and use bird feeders that keep seed off the ground to avoid attracting small animals that may in turn attract foxes which can carry rabies.
• lose off crawl spaces under sheds, porches, decks and homes. Some wildlife may use these spaces to rest or to build their dens.

Take action if you are bitten or exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal. If you or someone in your family is exposed to a rabid animal, rabies can be prevented through a series of shots called rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
If you are bitten by any animal, follow these steps:

1. Immediately wash the wound well with soap and water and see a healthcare provider or go to the Emergency Department of your local hospital.
2. Contact Animal Control, if you or your pet is bitten, to assist in capturing the animal for observation or rabies testing. If the animal is caught and tested and does not have rabies, you may not need to have post-exposure shots and your pet may not need to be kept in isolation or put to sleep.

Animal Control phone numbers:

• Asheville City limits – Asheville Police 252-1110
• Buncombe County, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office 250-6670

Your local health department can answer any questions you might have about rabies.  A disease control nurse can help you decide if rabies vaccines are needed.  The Buncombe County Communicable Disease program number is: 250-5109.  What you do matters: get your pets vaccinated to help stop the spread of this dangerous disease.