Rowan County Public Health and Rowan County Animal Enforcement have issued a rabies alert following reports of several raccoons displaying signs of illness in the Eamon Park area of Salisbury. Although no human contact with these animals has been reported, officials stress the importance of ongoing vigilance regarding rabies risks in the community.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is mainly spread through bites or scratches from infected animals. Wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes are common carriers, but domestic pets can also be at risk if they are not vaccinated or come into contact with wildlife.
Symptoms of rabies in pets may include unusual activity during the day for nocturnal animals, aggressive or passive behavior changes, difficulty walking or paralysis, altered vocalizations, inability to eat or drink, drooling or frothing at the mouth, and convulsions. Residents are advised not to handle any animal showing these signs and to contact Rowan County Animal Enforcement at 704-216-7768 during business hours or 911 after hours.
Feeding wild animals can increase the risk of rabies transmission by encouraging them to enter residential areas. Authorities recommend residents avoid feeding or approaching wildlife, secure garbage and pet food, keep yards clean, and seal entry points to homes.
If bitten or scratched by a wild or unknown animal, individuals should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical attention immediately, and report the incident to Rowan County Animal Enforcement. Prompt administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent development of rabies if given quickly after exposure.
Vaccination remains a key prevention measure for pets. The Rowan County Animal Shelter provides rabies vaccinations by appointment for $10; appointments can be made by calling 704-216-7768. Additional advice includes keeping pets’ vaccinations up to date, supervising them outdoors, and avoiding bringing stray or wild animals into homes.
The press release was prepared collaboratively by the Rowan County Public Health Department to inform residents about public health concerns related to rabies exposure. For further information, contact Amy Smith at 704-216-8859 or Amy.smith@rowancountync.gov.
Recent educational statistics show that college readiness among students in Rowan County school districts varies across subjects according to ACT results from the 2022-23 school year. Among seniors taking the science portion of the ACT, only 12.3% were considered ready for college (source). For juniors in science readiness was lower at 10.1%. Reading scores showed higher rates: 22.6% of seniors were college-ready while juniors reached 18.3%. Math readiness was lowest: just 8.5% of seniors and 6.9% of juniors met college-ready benchmarks (source).
