Rabid kitten found in Auburn

State health officials confirm that a rabid kitten has been found in Auburn.

The Alabama Department of Public Health says the kitten was a stray and was about four to six weeks old.  After it tested positive for rabies, other kittens in the litter are also being tested.

ADPH has been notified that there is another kitten, presumably of the same litter, that was not caught and got away.

The location of the case was off East Longleaf Drive within Auburn city limits.

ADPH is now identifying all people who may have been exposed, including the person who brought the kitten into a veterinary clinic and workers at the clinic. Anybody who has been exposed is being asked to seek medical care for prevention.

ADPH will now distribute flyers in that area warning people that may have had contact with any of these stray kittens, especially the one that may still be roaming in the area, and remind them to vaccinate their pets.

Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be current with rabies vaccination.

Although there are animal rabies vaccines that last for one year or three years, the first rabies vaccination is only good for one year, regardless of which vaccine a pet receives. Vaccinating animals reduces the risk of rabies infection should an exposure occur; thus, vaccinations help protect animals, as well as their owners and caretakers.

In addition to vaccination, area residents are advised to take the following precautions to avoid possible exposure to rabies:

· Do not allow pets to run loose; confine them within a fenced-in area or with a leash.
· Do not leave uneaten pet food or scraps near your residence.
· Do not illegally feed or keep wildlife as pets.
· Do not go near wildlife or domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.
· Caution children not to go near any stray or wild animal, regardless of its behavior.

For more information about rabies and prevention, please contact ADPH at (334) 206-5969 or visit ADPH Infectious Diseases: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/rabies.html

— Information from the Alabama Department of Public Health