FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Government announced Tuesday that a feral cat had tested positive for rabies and issued a health warning.
According to the county, the cat was found near the intersection of Atlanta Highway and McFarland Parkway in Alpharetta and was captured on Jan. 29.
When the animal was examined, it was tested positive for rabies.
County officials said a resident saw the cat and trapped it before bringing it in for a check-up.
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“The resident brought the cat into the Pet Resource Center, and it suffered a medical complication that was consistent with an animal presenting with Rabies,” said Forsyth County Animal Services Manager Haley Brown. “The prompt observation and testing yielded a positive result, and we encourage others to come forward if their animals are symptomatic.”
For those potentially exposed to risks related to rabies, public health officials will provide a notification and encourage seeking medical attention, if needed.
“Encounters between wild animals and domestic pets, including some that involved people, have increased recently, so we encourage all residents to have their pets vaccinated against the Rabies Virus and be educated on what to do if they encounter a potentially rabid animal,” officials said.
The rabies virus is transmittable when introduced to bite wounds, open cuts or mucous membranes like the eyes or mouth and can be transmitted via bite.
Anyone who sees a wild animal acting strangely is asked to report it to Forsyth County Animal Services at 770-781-2138 and to avoid the animal.
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