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An unpleasant trend of increasing numbers of rabies cases is being reported in central North Carolina. The numbers for the last few years have increased about 100% per year, and are showing no signs of slowing down. In 1996, the state lab confirmed 736 cases of rabies. Most of these cases are occurring in and around heavily populated areas and in the prime outdoor recreation areas for the many folks who live in the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) and Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point) areas. Recent cases have included a rabid raccoon that wandered into a Chapel Hill bar and died, and a rabid beaver that apparently attacked two men in a boat in Lake Jordan. While raccoons are very susceptible to rabies, this is the first known case of a beaver with rabies since the state began keeping records.

With the rapid growth of the population in both the Triangle and the Triad, housing developments have replaced wildlife habitat very quickly, leaving many animals trapped in green islands within populated areas. These animals have very few predators, except domestic pets which puts them at risk of rabies infection as well. Animals that are highly susceptible to rabies include raccoons (the number one carrier in North Carolina), bats, foxes, skunks and cattle. Dogs, cats, horses, sheep, and primates, including humans have an intermediate susceptibility to the disease. While wild animals are the primary carriers, domestic pets are responsible for most human cases.

The disease is spread when infected saliva makes contact with nerve endings, usually through bite wounds, but any contact with saliva can be potentially infectious. Incubation time can vary from 2 to 3 weeks to up to a year, or even be as quick as one week. The disease causes brain and nerve damage and is fatal after onset.

Chatham County Animal Control has released a report entitled "Rabies: It's Here!" It details the stages of rabies as follows;

1. Prodromal Stage; This is seen as a change in behavior. Wild animals will lose their fear of humans and may be seen during daylight in unusual places. If a wild bat, skunk, raccoon or fox (or beaver) approaches you, leave the area immediately and report the incident to animal control. Infected pets will show a change in personality, becoming unusually fearful or alert or hiding more than usual. This stage last one to three days.
2. Excitative Stage; Animals in this stage are hyper-reactive to external stimulation such as noise and movement, and may attempt to bite anything close by. They may snap at imaginary objects. Some animals may not go through this stage. If they do it usually lasts three to four days.
3. Paralytic Stage; This stage is a result of nerve damage caused by the virus. Animals become uncoordinated: paralysis of the muscles controlling the mouth make swallowing difficult or impossible, so the animal may drool excessively and appear to "foam at the mouth".

Rabies cannot be cured, but it can be prevented, even shortly after contact with a rabid animal. There is no test that can be performed on a living animal to determine if it is rabid. The only reliable test comes from an examination of the animals brain tissue. People who suspect exposure to rabies have to undergo a series of six or more shots over a four week period. The best defense is to vaccinate your pets and farm animals as prescribed by your veterinarian. People in high exposure situations (veterinarians, wildlife workers and animal control) can receive rabies pre-exposure treatments to prevent onset of the disease. There is no vaccine available for wild animals. Once the virus gets established in an animal, it will die.

Wild animals suspected of being rabid are captured, euthanized and immediately tested. Pets are usually confined and observed for signs of the disease.

Follow these guidelines to protect yourself, your family and your pets;

• Warn children against touching, petting or going near wild animals or stray dogs or cats. Children especially are attracted to wild animals and may be tempted to approach animals that appear sick.

• Never attempt to stop an animal fight by personal intervention with your body.

• Make sure pets and farm animals are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Pets should wear their rabies vaccination tags. Supervise your pets. Obey leash laws and keep pets restrained.

• Stay away from wild animals. Do not attempt to attract wild animals to your yard. Feed pets indoors and do not toss food scraps into your yard. If you are disposing of wild animals, always wear gloves and avoid direct contact with the animal. Use a shovel.

• Report any stray dogs or cats, wild animals that appear to be sick, or wild animals that appear to be tame to your local Health Department, Animal Control Office or the Sheriff's Dept.

• If Bitten, or in contact with animal saliva:
  • Scrub the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and see a doctor immediately after washing the bite.
  • Do not handle your pet immediately after an attack by another animal. If you must touch your pet after an attack, wear gloves, and other necessary protection.
  • Confine the animal if possible without further endangering anyone, so that it may be picked up for observation by an Animal Control Officer. Animals will be quarantined and observed for 10 days, in order for physicians to properly treat the victim.

• Report the bite;
  • Contact a physician first, as well as local Animal Control Office, Health Dept. or Sheriff's Department.
  • If rabies shots are needed, they must be begun by a medical provider as soon as possible after the bite in order to be effective. North Carolina law requires that bites must be reported by the person bitten (or by parent, if a child), the owner of the biting animal, and the first physician who treats the bite.

• When reporting bites, give;
  • The name, address and telephone number of the person bitten, and the owner of the biting animal, if known.
  • A description of the animal including it's kind, size, color, apparent condition and any other useful information.
  • The location of the animal when the bite took place and it's current location if known.
  • Whether the animal was provoked or attacked without provocation.
  • Date of the animals last vaccination, if known.