CAMILLA — Tests have confirmed a Mitchell County family who adopted stray puppies earlier this month had rescued an animal infected with rabies, prompting public health officials to urge residents to take precautions around wildlife and strays.

Family members who played with the infected puppy learned they had been exposed to the rabies virus after it died, and test results came back positive for the virus, and prophylaxis was recommended to the family, said Mitchell County Health Department Nurse Manager Christi Dixon.

Southwest Health District Environmental Health Director Dewayne Tanner said it is not unusual to see positive rabies cases occasionally in Mitchell County or elsewhere in the 14-county Southwest Public Health District, and that the best protection against rabies is pet vaccination.

“Wild animals living in our area that are known to harbor the disease include raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, bobcats and coyotes,” he said. “When they come into contact with strays or unvaccinated pets, they can pass the infection.”

“People interested in adopting animals should go through reputable organizations or individuals and should ask for vaccination records,” he added, noting that district environmental health specialists have had to investigate rabies exposures related to pets acquired online.

Tanner also offered another recommendation to avoid rabies exposure. “Please avoid interacting with wild animals or strays, especially if they are showing odd behavior – such as being out during daytime or acting aggressively.”

Anyone bitten by wild animals or strays should seek immediate medical attention and contact the Mitchell County Health Department and law enforcement, Tanner added.

“You should not attempt to catch the animal yourself. The authorities will handle that so that it can be tested for rabies,” he said.

Rabies is fatal in humans if untreated, but almost completely preventable when prompt action is taken, Dixon said. Georgia law requires dogs and cats three months old and older to be vaccinated against rabies. Pet ferrets and valuable livestock should be inoculated, Tanner said.

For more information about rabies, people should contact their respective county health department.