Raccoon in Autauga County tests positive for rabies

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The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has confirmed that a raccoon in Autauga County tested positive for rabies on May 2.

A property owner in the general vicinity of Highway 82 and County Road 40 noticed the raccoon acting strangely near the old Henderson grocery store.
In December 2023, a kitten in this same general area of Autauga County tested positive for rabies following an encounter with a positive raccoon. This area of Autauga County has seen an increase in rabies cases and is under enhanced surveillance by the USDA National Rabies Management Team.

Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health veterinarian, said, “I am proud of ADPH’s assistance to our federal partners in supporting the efforts to reduce rabies in raccoons in Alabama with increased surveillance. The awareness of the landowner in this case helps us continue to monitor potential rabies cases in the area and reduce the risks to domestic animals.”
According to Jones, vaccinating animals is the primary way to reduce risks to pets and livestock. He also reminds the public that ADPH can help facilitate testing of any animal in the area that is suspected of having rabies.
Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be current with rabies vaccination. The first rabies vaccination is only good for one year, regardless of which vaccine a pet receives.

Vaccinating animals reduces the risk of rabies infection should an exposure occur; thus, vaccinations help protect animals, as well as their owners and caretakers.
Rabies prevention is multifaceted. It involves people taking precautions with wildlife, making sure their pets are current on rabies vaccinations and always reporting an animal bite or other exposure to their medical provider or ADPH.

In addition to vaccination, area residents are advised to take the following precautions to avoid possible exposure to rabies:

• Do not allow pets to run loose; confine them within a fenced-in area or with a leash.
• Do not leave uneaten pet food or scraps near your residence.
• Do not illegally feed or keep wildlife as pets.
• Do not go near wildlife or domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.
• Caution children not to go near any stray or wild animal, regardless of its behavior.

For more information about rabies and prevention, please contact ADPH at 334-206-5969 or visit ADPH Infectious Diseases and Outbreaks at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/rabies.html.