Rabid kitten found in Autauga County

State health officials say a rabid kitten has been found in Autauga County.

The Alabama Department of Public Health says the young kitten developed rabies, died and tested positive for rabies on December 22. The kitten was at a home in south central Autauga County on County Road 46 between the communities of Booth and Independence.

ADPH says the kitten that died was exhibiting neurological signs and was taken for veterinary care. More testing is being done to confirm the rabies strain. The remaining two kittens at the home have been vaccinated and are being quarantined for rabies.

ADPH says it has identified all the persons at the home as well as at the veterinary clinic who were exposed to the kitten. At this time, all of them are being advised to seek medical care for prevention.

Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be current with rabies vaccination. The first rabies vaccination is only good for one year, regardless of which vaccine a pet receives, ADPH says.