Rabies confirmed in raccoon near Pollocksville

The Jones County Health Department has announced a confirmed case of rabies involving a raccoon found near Beaufort Road in Pollocksville.

The animal was submitted to the North Carolina State Laboratory, which confirmed the presence of the rabies virus Aug. 19.

County officials are reminding residents to avoid contact with wild animals, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks. Animals that appear sick, injured, unusually friendly, aggressive or behave strangely should not be approached. Pets should be supervised outdoors and kept current on their rabies vaccinations.

Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal, or whose open wound comes into contact with animal saliva, should immediately wash the area with soap and water, seek medical attention and contact the Jones County Health Department.

The health department offers one-year rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets for $7. North Carolina law requires those animals to be vaccinated against rabies once they are older than 4 months.

For more information, call the Jones County Health Department at 252-448-9111.