0 Health officials issue warning over rabid kitten found at Starbucks

CANTON, Ga.,None - Seven people are being treated for rabies after coming in contact with a stray kitten. The Cherokee County Emergency Operations Center issued an alert to residents after the kitten tested positive for rabies.



According to a news release, health officials believe a variety of people came in contact with the kitten prior to its death.



“So, we're just letting everyone in the area know to stay away from stray cats and report to us if anybody had any exposure,” said Ray King, of the Cherokee County Health Department.



The kitten was picked up by a woman at the Riverstone Parkway Starbucks on March 1. The kitten had been handled at the coffee shop, and then later by several more people at the woman’s home in Canton, the release said.



The woman took the kitten to work, a veterinarian’s office, and it appeared to be in good health. Normally, rabid animals begin to exhibit symptoms at least a few days before their death. Later, the veterinarian took the kitten home and was bitten by it twice.



“It bit her just by being frightened by some dogs,” King told Channel 2’s Diana Davis.



The kitten was found dead the following day.



The kitten tested positive for rabies at the Georgia Public Health Lab.



Health officials urge anyone who has suffered bites or scratches from an unknown animal to report the incident to the environmental health office at 770-479-0444.

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