A Tucker man was bitten by a rabid raccoon on Feb. 12, near the intersection of Gloucester Drive and Cooledge Road.

The raccoon was picked up on Wednesday, Feb.12, and the positive rabies test result was received Thursday, Feb. 13, according to DeKalb County Animal Control, who've distributed flyers and made automated calls to homes and businesses in the area.
"Any person who is bitten or scratched by a wild animal should clean the wound with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention," advises Scott Wetterhall, M.D. director of the DeKalb County Board of Health's Division of Health Assessment and Promotion. The man who was bitten is receiving rabies exposure treatment, which includes administering rabies immune globulin to prevent the disease from developing.
DeKalb County law requires annual rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets. Unvaccinated pets that are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal are quarantined for a mandatory six-month period or they may be destroyed. However, vaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal's scratch or bite face a shorter quarantine period of 45 days. The dog involved in the fight is current on its rabies vaccination and is in quarantine for observation.

The Board of Health recommends that area residents who have outdoor pets observe their animal's behavior closely. Pets should not be allowed to run free. People should notify DeKalb County Animal Control about any pet or wild animal that acts unusually nervous or aggressive or has excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth. Call (404) 294-2996 on weekdays and Saturdays or (404) 294-2519 during evenings and on Sundays.
Area residents are also advised not to leave trash outside and not to feed wild animals. Children playing outdoors should avoid all strange animals, including cats and dogs. Rabies, a sometimes fatal disease, occurs mostly in animals, but may be transmitted to humans by contact with a rabid animal. Dr. Wetterhall adds, "Never try to break up an animal fight by putting your hands or any part of your body between the animals, even if your pet is involved. The best thing to do is to call Animal Control immediately."
For more information about DeKalb County Board of Health services, call (404) 294-3700.

###