A rabid skunk found along Fletcher Road in Shelby has Cleveland County health officials on alert, marking the third rabid animal identified in the county so far this year. In a social media post Wednesday night, the Cleveland County Health Department said the animal tested positive for rabies and urged residents to steer clear of stray or wild animals and to keep pets’ rabies vaccinations up to date while the investigation continues.
The department reported that the skunk was collected on Fletcher Road and later confirmed rabid. Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed has been asked to call the Cleveland County Health Department at 980-484-5100 for a risk assessment, and people who believe they had contact with potentially infectious saliva are advised to reach out to their healthcare provider, according to Cleveland County Government on Facebook.
How to protect pets and people
County Animal Services is handling wildlife pickup and the follow-up investigation. Officials remind residents not to approach or try to capture any animal that is sick, injured, or acting unusually tame. Cleveland County Animal Services can be reached at 704-481-9884, according to Cleveland County Animal Services.
Under North Carolina law, all dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies and wear current rabies tags. Animals that are exposed to a rabid or potentially rabid animal may need quarantine or a booster vaccine, as outlined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-185.
Rabies risk and prevention
Rabies is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear, but it is preventable when post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is started quickly after an exposure. Wild animals such as skunks, raccoons, and bats are common reservoirs for the virus in the United States, according to the CDC.
The CDC and local health officials recommend that anyone who is bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, then seek medical evaluation right away to determine whether PEP is needed.
Local context
Cleveland County’s public health news archive documents multiple rabies detections in recent years, including several rabid skunks and a rabid raccoon, highlighting ongoing wildlife surveillance in the area, according to Cleveland County Health Department news. Coverage of a 2024 skunk case on Clyde Street in Casar carried similar safety reminders for residents.
Health officials advise residents to keep a safe distance and report any animal acting strangely to county animal services. Keep pets current on rabies vaccinations, carry proof of vaccination when possible, and contact your healthcare provider if you think you or a pet may have been exposed.
