Fifth Confirmed Case in Davidson County This Year
Fifth Confirmed Case in Davidson County This Year
Davidson County, N.C. — October 16, 2025
The Davidson County Health Department has confirmed a fifth positive rabies case for 2025, following an incident earlier this week off Stemp Everhart Road in Thomasville. It’s the second confirmed case within a single week, prompting officials to remind all pet owners to double-check their animals’ rabies vaccinations.
According to the Health Department, a recently adopted dog with no known medical records or vaccination history was involved in a fight with a raccoon. A resident killed the raccoon and notified Davidson County Animal Control, which sent the specimen to the North Carolina State Laboratory for testing. Results confirmed the presence of the rabies virus on October 15, 2025.
Because the dog’s vaccination status could not be verified and the exposure was confirmed, the animal was humanely euthanized in line with state public health guidelines. One resident who may have been exposed has begun post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment.
“Rabies is a serious and almost always fatal virus if left untreated,” officials warned. “The best protection is prevention—keep pets vaccinated and avoid contact with wild animals.”
Public Health Guidance
Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Don’t feed, touch, or approach unfamiliar animals.
Report exposures immediately. All animal bites—domestic or wild—must be reported to the health department.
Vaccinate pets. North Carolina law requires dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated for rabies by four months of age and remain current.
Low-cost rabies vaccinations are available at the Davidson County Animal Shelter (490 Glendale Road, Lexington, NC) Monday through Friday.
For more information, visit Davidson County Animal Shelter.
