Five people and a dog exposed to a rabid feral cat in Wake County
Five people were exposed to a rabid feral cat, including one woman who was bitten and scratched on her porch.
The tortoiseshell colored cat was found off Great Woods Road in Wake Forest near Durham and Old Creedmoor roads after the woman called 911 about the cat coming onto her porch, and biting and scratching her.
Four other neighbors were bitten or scratched on the leg, and one dog was also exposed to the feral cat. The five people began treatment for rabies exposure and the dog was given a rabies booster shot, according to a Wake County news release.
Wake County Animal Services and a Wake County Communicable Disease nurse canvassed the neighborhood to see if there were any other exposures.
“In order to safeguard our community, it’s crucial residents stay informed about cases like these due to the potential for exposure,” Dr. Jennifer Federico, Wake County Animal Services director, said in a news release. “Please be cautious and avoid approaching unfamiliar animals. Remember: stay safe, stay informed.”
The feral cat is believed to belong to a colony of other feral cats that are living behind a nearby grocery store off of Old Creedmoor Road. People who may have been in contact with these cats is asked to contact the Wake County Health & Human Services Communicable Disease Program at 919-250-4462.
People should not approach animals they do not know and should notify Animal Control officials if they see an animal acting strange. Pet owners should make sure their pets have a current rabies vaccination.
This story was originally published June 22, 2023 at 4:20 PM.
