FAIRVIEW, N.C.  -- Health officials have issued a rabies notice for residents in southern Wake County and in Durham after two seprate cases of rabies were confirmed in animals.

A raccoon was found Monday in the vicinity of the Amherst subdivision, near the intersection of Bells Lake Road and Johnson Pond Road in the Fairview area of southern Wake County.

County officials are investigating the possible exposure of the owner of the property and his cat.  

"We don't want to alarm residents in the southern Wake County area, but they should be aware of this case and of the potential for exposure to themselves, family members and their pets," said Gibbie Harris, Wake County Community Health director. "Anyone living in or visiting the area, who has been scratched or bitten by an animal they do not know, should call our clinic. Our nurses will be able to assess if they need to seek medical treatment."

In a separate incident, animal control officials say Durham residents near the Mountain view area, by the Hillandale golf course, should look out for stray cats.

According to reports, a woman in the area took a kitten into her home after she found it in her backyard. The kitten got sick and later died. Tests revealed the kitten had rabies.

“What they mostly need to worry about is if there was any other human or animal exposure,” said Cindy Bailey with Durham’s animal control. “In the case of this kitten, this lady had been bitten and scratched because the kitten had been playful and healthy for a little while, so she has been exposed to rabies as well as anyone else that has handled the kitten.”

Bailey believes the kitten likely caught rabies from its mother.

Whenever persons are bitten or scratched by an unknown animal, they should thoroughly clean the wound with soap and warm water and contact their physicians or Wake County Community Health immediately. The daytime phone number for Wake County Community Health is (919) 250-4462; the after-hours number is (919) 839-3059.

Wake County Animal Control officials urge the following:

• Residents should not approach wildlife, especially during the daytime.
• Residents should ensure their pets have a current rabies vaccinations. If a pet is allowed outside, a booster vaccine is recommended. Outdoor pets should be kept inside until they receive booster vaccines.
• Do not leave trash or food outside unless in a trash can with a tight-fitting lid. 
• If a pet is fed outside, do not leave food out overnight.
• Do not leave pets outdoors unattended.
• If your pet comes in contact with an animal that might be rabid, contact your veterinarian immediately.

To report animal complaints and stray animals:

• In Wake County (except Cary, Garner, Holly Springs and Raleigh), call (919) 212-PETS (7387)
• In Cary, call (919) 319-4517
• In Garner, call (919) 772-8896
• In Holly Springs, call (919) 557-9111
• In Raleigh, call (919) 831-6311
• In Durham County, call (919) 560-0630/0631.