TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — After a Pike County dog tested positive for rabies, health officials are urging residents to take measures to keep their pets safe.

Earlier this month, a bulldog in Pike County tested positive for rabies, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).

“The owner contacted animal control and said the dog may have been acting aggressively,” said State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee Jones.

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The case was reported to Troy Animal Control after the owner noticed the dog acting aggressively toward other animals in the area. While the ADPH is still working to identify the strain, Jones said the most likely cause was through an animal bite. 

“This would have probably come from a rapid raccoon,” Jones told TrojanVision. “Troy is in the area that we consider endemic for rabies. The infected saliva has the virus in it and infects the next animal by getting under the skin.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 4,000 animal rabies cases are reported in the U.S. each year. The disease is 100% fatal and transmitted through infected saliva. If infected, an animal can exhibit behavioral changes, such as aggression.

“That virus is changing, it’s infecting, it’s working its way from the bite to the central nervous system and ultimately to the brain,” Jones explained. “That’s what’s causing these mentation changes.”

In order to avoid the spread of the disease, the ADPH urges all residents in the Pike County area to keep their animals current with rabies vaccinations. Other precautions include avoiding direct contact with wild or stray animals and reporting any animal bites immediately. 

“You need to vaccinate your animals,” Jones said. “Anytime anybody is bitten or scratched, you need to see your doctor. Then, we can determine if any post-exposure treatment is needed.”

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The ADPH and animal control is now monitoring several other dogs that live around the residence for any signs of rabies.

According to Alabama law, all dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks and older are required to be kept up to date with rabies vaccinations. Vaccines are also available to horses and other livestock if recommended by a veterinarian.