Rabies warning issued for Mt. Airy Road area in Harris County

WAVERLY HALL, Ga. — The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) says a raccoon in the Mt. Airy Road area tested positive for rabies at a state lab Wednesday.

The DPH is advising residents of the area to take the following precautions:

• Do not pick up or handle any stray or wild animals
• Report any animal bites and/or scratches to the Harris County Health Department
• Contact Harris County Animal Control to report any animals which are behaving strangely or aggressively
• If you notice a pet or livestock behaving strangely or is injured contact a local veterinarian immediately
• Teach children about the dangers of stray and wild animals
• Ensure all house animals are vaccinated against rabies
• If you are bitten or scratched by any animal:
  • Wash and rinse the wound thoroughly for several minutes.
  • Apply a disinfectant.
  • Seek medical attention immediately.
  • Report the bite/scratch to the Harris County Health Department

Anyone who may have come into contact with an animal with rabies can call:

• Harris County Animal Control: 706-582-2763
• Harris County Health Department/Environmental Health office: 833-337-1749
• Georgia Poison Control: 800-222-1222

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