Chapel Hill Rabies Case Prompts Local Health Advisory

Orange County Animal Services says a raccoon found near East Franklin Street and Glendale Drive in Chapel Hill tested positive for rabies after an encounter with two dogs on May 23. Officials urge people to keep distance from wildlife, seek prompt medical advice if exposed, and remind pet owners to keep rabies vaccinations up to date; in North Carolina, vaccinated pets with exposure must receive a booster within 96 hours, while unvaccinated animals with exposure may be euthanized or quarantined. The region has seen multiple rabies-related incidents recently, including a fox bite in Chapel Hill and a rabid cat in Hillsborough.