ADPH investigating possible rabies exposure after stray kitten found in Tuskegee tests positive

According to ADPH, a litter of kittens was abandoned on the campus of Tuskegee University. The kittens were taken to a veterinarian practice in Auburn where one of the kittens became ill and was tested for rabies.

State health department officials say that one kitten tested positive for rabies, and three additional kittens tested negative.

Officials say someone took one of the kittens from the litter to Georgia. ADPH authorities have been working with Georgia public health authorities who were able to identify the person who had the kitten from Alabama. That kitten is now at a Georgia veterinary clinic under observation.

ADPH is investigating whether there is an additional kitten that has not yet been located.

People who were exposed to the kittens are undergoing preventive vaccination, authorities say. The state health department cannot release additional information about people who were exposed due to privacy concerns.

ADPH authorities are investigating this situation in coordination with Tuskegee University.

Rabies is contracted by bites, scratches, or mucus membrane exposure from an infected animal. Other people are not at risk of contracting the virus.

Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be current with rabies vaccination.