There is Rabies Within City Limits in Some Areas in North Carolina. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals. In the last stages of the disease, the virus moves from the brain into the salivary glands and saliva. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms occur.
Any mammal can get rabies, including humans, dogs, cats, cows, and horses.
In North America, raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes, and coyotes, are the animals most commonly diagnosed with rabies. However, in Mexico and other Latin and Central American countries, dogs are the common carrier of rabies. Other mammals also get rabies. The best protection against rabies is vaccination of pets and avoidance of risk. Vaccination of dogs and cats is required by law.