A rabies alert has been issued for the Union Church Road area of South Hall County after a rabid skunk and rabid raccoon were confirmed in the area.

The skunk came in contact with two dogs Oct. 31. The skunk was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab, Virology Section in Decatur and confirmed positive for rabies on Thursday. A man then came in contact with a raccoon in the same area later that week. The raccoon was confirmed positive for rabies on Tuesday. The man started rabies treatments immediately.

These are the 11th and 12th confirmed rabies cases of 2011.

Alert signs have been posted in the area where the rabid skunk was found. If you live in this area or you see an animal acting abnormally, contact Hall County Animal Services at 770-531-6830 or during nonworking hours call Hall County Dispatch at 770-536-8812.

Animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their pets and livestock for rabies. Vaccines are available for $10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the Hall County Animal Shelter at 1688 Barber Road in Gainesville and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia at 845 W. Ridge Road in Gainesville.