County officials Wednesday received confirmation that a fifth raccoon recently seized by sheriff's deputies tested positive for rabies.
There were no confirmed cases of rabies in Durham County in 2012.
In this most recent case, the raccoon was discovered in the 100 block of Bahama Road.
The other locations where deputies have located rabies-infected raccoons this year are the 5300 block of Cheek Road, 600 block of Chalice Street, 2300 block of Alabama Avenue, and 2300 block of Strawberry Lane.
"It is important to know that close interactions with raccoons by humans, pets, and other wild animals may result in the spread of rabies," Durham County Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Coordinator Susan Thompson said. "If you see a raccoon in your yard or around your home, assume it is infected with rabies and stay away from it. Call the Sheriff's Animal Services Division immediately. Most importantly, make sure your pets' vaccines are current."
Residents are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at (919) 560-0900 if they encounter a possibly infected animal.
The Sheriff's Animal Services Division, located at 3005 Glenn Rd., offers rabies vaccines every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. for a cost of $15. No appointment is necessary, but photo identification is required and payments must be made in cash. For more information please call (919) 560-0630.
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