HINESVILLE, Ga. () — A bobcat in Liberty County has tested positive for rabies.

The Liberty County Health Department has issued an alert to remind people to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals and to keep pets up to date on rabies vaccinations.

The bobcat attacked an individual on April 24 near Cay Creek Road in Midway. The individual is receiving follow-up medical care.

Rabies is a deadly virus primarily spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, including raccoons, foxed and bats.

To protect yourself and your family from rabies, the Liberty County Health Department’s
Environmental Health office offers the following tips:

• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies
  vaccines after 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster shot within one year and
  vaccination every 1-3 years depending on veterinary recommendation.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or
  by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals
  to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
  Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear
  friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to
  learn.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear
of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis. If an animal ever
bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Liberty County Animal Services at 912-
876-9191 and the Liberty County Health Department Environmental Health office at 912-368-5520.