The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Friday announced it has confirmed that a raccoon in Autauga County tested positive for rabies on May 2.

According to the department, a property owner in the area of U.S. 82 and County Road 40 noticed the raccoon acting strangely near the old Henderson grocery store.

In December 2023, a kitten in this same area tested positive for rabies following an encounter with a positive raccoon. This area of Autauga County has seen an increase in rabies cases and is under enhanced surveillance by the USDA National Rabies Management Team.

State Health Veterinarian Dee W. Jones said vaccinating animals is the primary way to reduce risks to pets and livestock. ADPH can help facilitate testing of any animal in the area that is suspected of having rabies. 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 good for one year, regardless of which vaccine.

On Saturday, County Rabies Officer Allison Trotter of Animal Medical Clinic,will be hosting reduced-cost rabies clinics at the following locations:

Billingsley Junction (8-9 a.m.)

Marbury Middle School (8-9 a.m.0

Vida (9:15- 10:15 a.m.)

White City (9:30-10:30 a.m.)

Booth Fire Department (10:30-11:30 a.m.)

Posey’s Crossroads (11-12:30 p.m.)

Prattville Farm Center (12-1 p.m.)

Prattville Elementary School (1-2 p.m.)

The fee is $12 per animal. Keep all dogs on leashes and all cats in boxes when attending one of these clinics.

For more information about rabies and prevention, contact ADPH at (334) 206-5969 or visit ADPH Infectious Diseases and Outbreaks.