The rise in rabies cases within Lincoln County has hit a new peak with the confirmation of a third incident this year involving an infected raccoon. According to an official statement from Lincoln County Animal Services, on Monday, the raccoon was killed by dogs on a property near Fairview Church Rd in Cherryville and showed potential signs of rabies. Lincoln County's report indicate that, fortunately, no human injuries occurred during the encounter.
Acting with commendable speed after the event, the deceased animal was sent to the North Carolina State Laboratory and tested for the rabies virus on Tuesday. Yesterday, a worrying result came in: the laboratory had returned a positive test for rabies. The rabies vaccine for ensuring their pets' health, Lincoln County officials have not skipped a beat in reminding pet owners of the importance. To combat the uptick in rabies cases, they are urging all residents to keep their pets up-to-date on vaccinations.
Lincoln County is responding proactively by providing affordable vaccination services. Pets can receive a 1-year rabies vaccination for just $7. This low-cost opportunity is part of a larger initiative to keep the community safe, led by organizations like Helping Animals to Survive (HATS) and county-sponsored vaccination clinics. Appointments can be scheduled with Animal Services for this essential preventative measure.
Residents are being schooled on the hallmarks of rabies in wildlife as part of the broader educational campaign — signs to watch out for include unusual aggression, friendliness, disorientation, and salivation. If encountering a wild animal exhibiting such behaviors, the public is instructed to maintain a safe distance. "Don't approach or handle wildlife," Lincoln County's call to action is clear. Anyone who observes animals behaving erratically should contact Animal Services immediately at (704) 736-4125, a standing plea to protect both themselves and the wildlife.
