Health Officials Issue Rabies Notice for Rolesville

ROLESVILLE — Local health officials issued a rabies notice for residents and visitors in the vicinity of Blueberry Court and Watkins Farm Road in Rolesville Thursday.

A case of rabies was confirmed Wednesday in a raccoon, and a dog was exposed to the virus, officials said. Fortunately, the dog had been vaccinated against rabies.

Had the dog not been current with its' vaccination, it would have been required to be quarantined for six months or perhaps euthanized, officials said.

"We don't want to alarm residents in Rolesville, but they should be aware of this case and of the potential for exposure to themselves, family members and their pets," said Gibbie Harris, Wake County Community Health director.

Whenever people are bitten or scratched by an unknown animal, they should thoroughly clean the wound with soap and warm water and contact their physician or Wake County Community Health immediately.

The daytime phone number for Wake County Community Health is 919-250-4462; the after-hours number is 919-839-3059.