Rabid animal attacks are in the headlines. Here's what you should know to stay safe

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Raccoons and other wild animals can carry rabies, so people should treat them with caution during encounters.

Credit: PBS

A Cherokee County man is being treated for rabies exposure after a raccoon he rescued bit him on the face.

The incident was the third Georgia case of rabid animal to make headlines since last week.

In late November, a bobcat on Jekyll Island tested positive for rabies after it attacked a woman at a mini golf course, and near Ludowici, a rabid raccoon was killed by a dog in a residential area.

Dr. Jesse Maestas, a biologist with Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, says there are behaviors to watch for in a rabid animal.

"You can see seizures, you can see aggression — it’s a lot of unusual behaviors," he said. "If you have a fear of humans, that fear of humans is suddenly gone, or if you’re normally out during the nighttime, that’s another key that something might be off."

Maestas said that while it’s understandable to want to help an animal in need, it’s best to contact your local animal control and stay indoors.

Rabid animals must be euthanized to properly test them for the disease.

Should you get bitten or scratched by a wild animal, don't hesitate to seek medical treatment and explain what happened. It's important to receive post-exposure treatment as soon as possible, as rabies is nearly always fatal when untreated before symptoms appear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.