News

Feral kitten with rabies triggers N.C. 191 alert

By Bill Moss, Published: August 29, 2014

A feral kitten that tested positive for rabies likely got the disease from contact with a wild animal such as a fox or raccoon,  the Henderson County Sheriff's Office said.

The Sheriff's Office said in a news release on Friday that it was working with the Henderson County Health Department on the case. The feral kitten had been in the Steeplechase Court area of Carriage Park off N.C. 191. The department advised residents that if they or any family member had contact with an unfamiliar pet or wild animal recently, call 828-697-4912 to contact a public health nurse for a rabies risk assessment.

"If you suspect your pet may been exposed, seems injured from an unknown cause, displays unusual behavior or appears sick, contact your vet immediately—even if the animal is current on its rabies vaccination," the statement said.

Sheriff's deputies will be going door to door distributing handouts and a rabies flier as well as using a reverse 911 communications system to notify homeowners within a 1-mile radius of the location.

Anyone who sees an animal that appears injured, displays unusual behavior or appears sick was asked to call 828-697-4912. Continue to check the public health hotline (828-694-4040) and the website (www.hendersoncountync.org/health) for updates.