Third Positive Case of Rabies in White County

CLEVELAND, GA -White County Environmental Health Manager Sean Sullivan confirmed another positive rabies case in White County.

Homeowners in the New Bridge area arrived home on Tuesday afternoon, Oct.29, to their dog barking. They noted this was not normal behavior for their pet. Upon further inspection, the found a raccoon inside the dog’s pen and that their pet had blood on its face.

The raccoon was killed and the incident was reported the following day. After sending the raccoon to the Georgia Public Health Lab – Virology Section in Decatur, the White County Environmental Health found out on Friday that the animal tested positive for rabies. This is the third confirmed case of rabies in White County this year.

Sullivan said the dog is up to date on rabies vaccinations, but it is under an observational quarantine of 45 days. Positive alert signs will be posted in the area where the rabid raccoon was located.

If you live in this area and have concerns about rabid animal exposure, please contact White County Environmental Health at 706-348-7698.