(Cleveland)- The first confirmed case of Rabies for 2024 has been reported. Sean Sullivan, Environmental Health Manager, with the White County Health Department said, that on the evening of September 1 a homeowner was walking their dog on Partin Road, south of Cleveland, when they were attacked, unprovoked by a coyote.

They got the dog to safety but the homeowner had already been bitten on the leg. The homeowner put the coyote down and reported the incident to the Department of Natural Resources who then reported it to White County Environmental Health.

Sullivan said the specimen was shipped to the State lab on Tuesday, September 3rd the health department received the positive results Wednesday afternoon.

Positive alert signs will be posted in the area where the rabid coyote was located. If you live in this area and have concerns about rabid animal exposure, please contact White County Environmental Health at 706-348-7698 during normal business hours.

Sullivan advised that the last time positive rabies was reported in the county was in January 2022.