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Bat is 15th rabies case in Orange County

The bat was found Monday by a Hillsborough resident who noticed her two dogs investigating something in the backyard. The woman brought the dogs inside and called Orange County Animal Services, which removed the bat for testing.

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Bat
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — An infected bat is Orange County’s 15th positive rabies case this year, officials said Thursday.

The bat was found Monday by a Hillsborough resident who noticed her two dogs investigating something in the backyard. The woman brought the dogs inside and called Orange County Animal Services, which removed the bat for testing.

The dogs have current rabies vaccinations and will receive a booster shot, which is required by state law. Unvaccinated animals face a six-month quarantine or are euthanized.

“Awareness and prevention are always important, but especially given the current upswing in rabies cases in Orange County,” Animal Services Director Bob Marotto said in a statement. “Pet owners need to be absolutely sure that their dogs, cats and ferrets are currently vaccinated against rabies and do not have opportunities to come into contact with wildlife.”

Marotto said most rabies cases in the United States in recent years have been traced to bats. The other dominant species is raccoon.

The county is hosting a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Piedmont Feed Center, 4805 N.C. Highway 54 West, Chapel Hill. Vaccinations cost $10 and are cash only.

For more information, call Animal Services at 919-942-7387 or visit the department’s website for more clinic dates.

 

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