North Carolina hasn’t had a reported human case of rabies since 1955 thanks to public health efforts and monitoring. We have a team in our Public Health department that actively monitors rabies, a serious viral disease that can be fatal if not treated quickly. Ongoing surveillance by Public Health investigators helps prevent potential exposures and ensures timely treatment for individuals who may have been exposed.
To help keep our community safe, it’s important to be aware of animals that can carry rabies.
The top three animals that have rabies in Mecklenburg County are:
- Raccoons: While they might seem harmless, it’s crucial to keep a safe distance.
- Bats: Bats are known carriers of rabies and are a leading cause of human rabies cases in the United States.
- Foxes: Known for keen senses used for hunting, foxes can transmit rabies to you or your animals.
Rabies can’t be cured, ONLY prevented!
- Vaccinate your pets.
- Report stray animals and wild animals that are acting sick or abnormal to 311.
- Get immediate medical advice and wash your wound if you’ve been bitten or have contact with a wild or stray animal.
- Most importantly, LEAVE wild animals alone!
When an animal tests positive for rabies, the Public Health team investigates and informs anyone who may have been exposed through direct contact with it, and lets the community know through communication platforms like Nextdoor.
Once again, rabies can’t be cured, only prevented. So never approach, touch, or feed a wild animal, even if you think it’s friendly or needs medical attention. If you see a stray animal, treat it the same.