Rabies Case Confirmed in Stephens Co.

A case of rabies has been confirmed in the southeastern part of Stephens County.

The Stephens County Environmental Health Department posted a letter Friday to residents in the Seven Forks Road and Tahoe Trail area of Stephens County that a dog had been found in that area that tested positive for rabies.

Seven Forks Road and Tahoe Trail are located off of Highway 328 near Lake Hartwell and the Stephens County-Franklin County line.

Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter Director Jeff Roberts said that animal control picked up a blonde retriever on Sunday, March 29 that was injured.

Roberts said on Friday, tests came back positive for rabies and the animal was euthanized, followed by another animal that came into contact with the rabid dog this week.

Roberts said the second animal was not tested for rabies, but could not be quarantined safely for six months, which he says is why it was euthanized.

He went on to say that a number of people came into contact with the dogs and were potentially put at risk.

“We do not know of any people that were attacked, but just the mere contact with the animal, possible saliva, there are eight people that have had to start the rabies vaccination post-exposure shots,” said Roberts.

Also, Roberts said that the owner of the dog that tested positive for rabies has come forward.

Officials said that anyone who suspects they or their animals have been in contact with this blonde retriever in the Seven Forks Road-Tahoe Trail area or notice their pet or domestic animal displaying any symptom of rabies should avoid contact with the animal and confine it, then call the Stephens County Environmental Health Department at 706-282-4507, extension 121 or the Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter at 706-282-3275.

Roberts said there are a number of symptoms people should watch for if an animal was exposed to rabies.

“If your animal stops eating or drinking, becomes unusually vicious towards the owner or others, walks in a strange manner from what its normal walk is, if the animal slobbers from the mouth, or (exhibits) any strange or unusual behavior,” said Roberts.

According to the Health Department’s notification, domestic animals that are currently vaccinated for rabies and have been potentially exposed to this dog should be confined and observed for 45 days.

Also, the Health Department said those people should consult with their veterinarian about a rabies vaccine booster.

The Health Department said in its notification that all unvaccinated animals that have been in contact with the rabid dog in the Seven Forks Road-Tahoe Trail area should either be euthanized or undergo isolated confinement for six months.

Rabies does exist in Stephens County wildlife and if contracted and not treated within a certain timeframe prior to the onset of symptoms, is essentially 100 percent fatal.

Roberts said this serves as a reminder to make sure animals are vaccinated for rabies.

“To me, the bottom line in this situation is, the story would not have to have ended with people getting shots, suffering from going through those shots, or the animals getting euthanized if the animals had a $15 rabies vaccination,” said Roberts.