Several Randolph County residents are undergoing treatment after being exposed to a cat confirmed positive for rabies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dee W. Jones, D.V.M., 334-206-5969

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is urging people to keep their pets vaccinated against rabies after a cat in Randolph County tested positive for rabies. A rabid cat that was a rescue has exposed several people, including the owners and staff at a local veterinary hospital in Wedowee. The owner sought veterinary care multiple times over the past two weeks for the cat before it was euthanized earlier this week after developing neurological symptoms and extreme aggressiveness.

The cat was confirmed positive for rabies on February 23 by the ADPH Bureau of Clinical Laboratories. The county and state health department are continuing to investigate and identify individuals who have been exposed. Some of those exposed have already begun receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

According to Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health Veterinarian, the health department is working with local medical providers and the veterinary hospital administration to make sure that anyone deemed exposed will have access to the rabies post-exposure treatment. He said, "This is a bad situation, but thankfully, the local veterinarians were quick to recommend testing, which ultimately has reduced the risk of even more exposure to others and other animals at the rescue."

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 valid 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.

Rabies prevention is multifaceted. It involves people taking precautions around wildlife, ensuring their pets are current on rabies vaccinations, and always reporting an animal bite or other exposure to their medical provider or ADPH. 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's page on rabies.

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2/26/26

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