Local Alert: Rabies Detected in Feral Cat Near Highways 80 and 17 in Effingham County

The Effingham County Health Department has alerted residents after a feral cat tested positive for rabies in Bloomingdale. The incident happened on March 24, 2024, near Highways 80 and 17. A local resident reported an attack by the cat. The cat was captured by the Effingham County Humane Enforcement deputies, and the health department's Environmental Health office tested it for rabies. The positive result was confirmed on March 28.

The health department has contacted all individuals involved, providing advice on post-exposure rabies treatment. This case highlights the importance of avoiding wild animals and keeping pets' rabies vaccinations up to date. Rabies is a lethal virus spread by infected animals, including raccoons, foxes, bats, and feral cats and dogs in coastal Georgia.

The Effingham County Health Department Environmental Health office has shared tips to protect residents from rabies. These include avoiding unknown animals, ensuring pets are vaccinated, and not attracting wild animals with open garbage cans or pet food left out at night. They also discourage adopting wild animals or attempting to nurse sick animals.

The department stresses teaching children not to handle unfamiliar animals, whether wild or domestic. They suggest the principle 'Love your own, leave other animals alone' as a valuable lesson for children.

Rabies symptoms in animals include behavior changes, biting, aggression, lack of fear of humans, foaming at the mouth, and paralysis. The department advises seeking immediate medical care and contacting the Effingham County Humane Enforcement Department and the Effingham County Health Department’s Environmental Health office if bitten or scratched by an animal.

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