GOLD HILL — Rowan County Animal Services announced on Facebook on Wednesday that a skunk tested positive for rabies in Gold Hill.

A post from the department stated that the skunk was found in Gold Hill near the Rowan County and Cabarrus County line. This is at least the fourth case of rabies this year, as a raccoon, a stray cat and a fox have all been confirmed to have rabies earlier this year. The cat was tested after displaying unusual behavior when brought into a home and the fox was tested after attacking two people in their carport. The raccoon had no human exposure.

“This discovery is a reminder of the importance of remaining alert and taking appropriate precautions when encountering wild or stray animals,” Rowan County Community Health Manager Courtney Meece said in April. “Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can be fatal if left untreated. It is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite.”

The Facebook post from animal services advises people to contact the department at 704-216-7768 if they see a wild or stray animal acting strangely or are concerned about possible rabies exposure. Symptoms of rabies can include:

• Daytime activity in animals normally active at night
• Overly aggressive
• Staggering, weakness and paralysis
• A change in the sound of the animal’s voice
• Inability to eat or drink
• Drooling or frothing at the mouth
• Convulsions 

In April, the health department advised that residents can take the following precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to rabies:

• Avoid contact with unfamiliar animals, especially wildlife such as raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks.
• Ensure that any pets, including dogs and cats, are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Do not feed or attempt to handle wild animals, even if they appear to be tame or friendly.
• Securely seal garbage cans and food sources to prevent attracting wildlife to your property.
• Teach children to never approach or touch wild animals and to report any encounters to an adult immediately.

The Facebook post stated that wild or stray animals should not be touched or picked up and owners should keep their domestic pets current on their rabies vaccines.

For more information, go to https://www.rowancountync.gov/180/Rabies-Information.