Two rabies cases in the past week are prompting Orange County health officials to remind residents of the importance of pet vaccinations.

A rabid raccoon was killed on Sunday in Mebane after it attacked a dog. Another incident was reported in Hillsborough involving a rabid skunk. The latest cases make an even dozen cases in the county so far in 2008. Rob Marotto, director of Orange County Animal Services, said the pets involved in both cases were up to date on rabies vaccinations.

"It's good news that we have people whose pets were vaccinated and that they knew to contact our animal control office," said Marotto.

Prompt reporting and action is critical in controlling rabies, says Marotto. According to state law, even vaccinated pets who do not receive a rabies booster within 72 hours of exposure must be quarantined for six months or euthanized. (to hear more, click on the video link above)

In the Mebane incident, the pet owner put the raccoon in a plastic bag to transport it to animal control. While testing the rabid animal is the only definitive way to prove rabies, Marotto urges caution in handling any pet that has rabies or may have been exposed.

"There's always a concern not only with direct exposure, but also with what we call secondary incidental exposure," he said. "It is possible for us to contract rabies from the saliva from the wild animal that's on the coat of our household pet."

His advice? Try not to touch the animal at all, but if you have no choice, wear gloves and other clothing to prevent incidental exposure, especially to cuts or scrapes on the skin.

For more information about rabies vaccinations and precautions, visit the Orange County Animal Services website.