The 12th rabies case for the year has been discovered in North Hall County.
According to the Gainesville-Hall Animal Control department, a raccoon was picked up June 23 in the Shadow Oaks Drive area of North Hall after coming in contact with two dogs.
The raccoon was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab for analysis and tested positive for rabies. Positive alert signs will be posted in the area where the infected animal was found.
Out of the 12 cases this year, eight of them have been found in the North Hall area. In addition to the most recent case, in May a fox found in the Paynes Road area tested positive for rabies.
"We are concerned any time there appears to be a rabies outbreak," said Mike Ledford, animal control supervisor. "We’re working closely with the CDC to find out what, if anything is the cause."
One cause could be that the once mostly rural area has seen an increase in development and population growth in recent years, Ledford said.
Although there has been at least one confirmed rabies case every month, things aren’t as bad as they were last year.
"Things have seemed to slow up since 2008. They are much slower now than they were at this time last year," Ledford said. "We’ve seen a sharp decline in cases, so we’re happy about that. Usually the spring and summer are the busiest times, so we are very pleased to see fewer cases at this point in the year."
In 2008, there were 43 confirmed cases of rabies. If current rates continue, the total will be half that amount at the end of the year.
The Humane Society of Hall County is sponsoring a rabies clinic Saturday at Tailwaggers on Murphy Boulevard in Gainesville. Animal lovers can safeguard their pets against rabies for $10 per animal. Puppies and kittens have to be at least 3 months old to get a rabies shot.
If you notice an animal acting abnormally especially in areas where rabies cases have been confirmed, call Gainesville-Hall Animal Control Department at 770-531-6830. After regular business hours, call Hall County Dispatch at 770-536-8812.