After a lull of almost a month, Hall County’s rabies epidemic is heating up again, with this year’s 33rd and 34th cases reported this week.

According to Hall County Animal Control, on Sept. 9 a skunk came into contact with a dog in the Lakeland Road area of North Hall.

Then on Sept. 11, a raccoon came into contact with a dog off Willie Robinson Road, also in North Hall.

Specimens from both of the wild creatures were shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur on Monday, and on Tuesday both the skunk and the raccoon tested positive for rabies.

Animal Control director Mike Ledford said the dogs involved were current on their rabies vaccinations, so they will not have to be placed under long-term quarantine or euthanized.

Anyone who observes wildlife behaving strangely, a possible indication of rabies, should call Animal Control at 770-531-6830.