GREENSBORO, N.C. — Guilford County has logged two more rabid animals, one of them inside Greensboro city limits, and public health officials are reminding residents to keep pet shots current and steer clear of wildlife.
A bat picked up on Nathanael Greene Drive in Greensboro and a raccoon from Poley Road in Browns Summit both had rabies, with lab confirmation coming Oct. 28, according to the Department of Public Health, which sits inside Guilford’s Health and Human Services Agency. County health officials announced the results Wednesday. The pair are the county’s 15th and 16th confirmed animal rabies cases of 2026.
State law requires every dog, cat and ferret 4 months of age or older to carry a current rabies vaccination, and that applies to pets that never leave the house as well as those that live outside. Health officials said pets kept in fenced outdoor pens need the shots too, and that keeping an eye on animals while they are outside cuts down the chances of a run-in with wildlife.
The virus moves through wild animal populations in every season, officials said. Residents should not handle wildlife, living or dead, and should not try to rescue or nurse a hurt wild animal. Sick or injured animals can be reported to Animal Control at 336-641-5990. Stray animals, which may not be vaccinated, can be reported to that same number in Greensboro or to 336-883-3224 in High Point.
Other advice from the county: stay away from any animal acting strangely, never step between fighting animals, and feed pets indoors, since bowls left outside draw strays and wildlife. Anyone bitten should scrub the wound right away with soap and water, get medical care and report the bite to Animal Control.
Guilford County Animal Services takes rabies prevention questions at 336-641-2506.
Filed under: Greensboro NC Health News
