Rabies Case Confirmed in Caldwell

On May 2, 2020, the North Carolina State Laboratory notified Caldwell County Animal Control that a fox submitted for testing and was infected with the rabies virus. The fox was found in the Lower Creek area of Caldwell County.

To protect your pets, make sure their rabies vaccinations are current.  Rabies is common in NC wildlife. Raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats are the most common carriers of the disease. In 2018, the latest year with statistic available, there were 142 rabid raccoons and 55 rabid foxes identified in the state. There were also 24 rabid bats and 56 rabid skunks identified. These animals can transmit rabies to dogs and cats; 13 cats and 3 dogs were identified with rabies last year. Because rabies is fatal and can also be transmitted to people vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies is required by law in NC.

If there are any questions concerning rabies and/or receiving a rabies vaccination, please contact the Animal Control Division of the Caldwell County Health Department at 829 Fairview Drive SW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or call 828-757-8625. If there is an emergency situation outside the normal working hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, please notify the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-758-2324.