Fourth case of rabies confirmed in Gaston County

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — On Sunday, neighbors near Dornoch Road in Gastonia reported a raccoon with strange behavior near their homes. Animal Care and Enforcement sent the raccoon to the North Carolina Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh for testing. Results revealed the raccoon had rabies.

Officials with Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services canvassed surrounding neighborhoods the following day. They informed neighbors to be on alert for other animals with sickness/neurological issues.

It’s the fourth case of rabies reported in Gaston County this year.

The last case was discovered on Sept. 4 in the area of North Main Street in Cramerton. Officials say a dog was attacked by a raccoon carrying the virus. In May, a veterinarian in Bessemer City said a cow near Ver Lee Drive had rabies. In February, someone reported a sick cat near Thunder Road in Dallas, N.C.

Pest Control Authority in Charlotte said they receive several calls a day about raccoons, squirrels and bats. They expect the calls to pick up this fall.

Veterinarian Doug Dilworth, with Grace Animal Hospital, said raccoons and skunks carry rabies, which is spread through a bite. He said neighbors should look for animals that are showing weird behavior or raccoons that are out in the daytime.

Dilworth said its important pets be vaccinated against the disease.

“They start when they are younger, and they are bolstered every three years depending on the age of the pet. It is required by the state," Dilworth said.

Frances Henry’s neighbor received a notice by the department this week. She lives near Dornoch Road in Gastonia. She said her beagle was attacked four months ago, and is glad her pet has the right shots.

“We have a bird feeder in our backyard and we constantly have raccoons come up and eat off them,” she said.

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