DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) -- Rabies is a viral disease that affects numerous animals every year, but the disease is on the rise in Alabama and the Wiregrass.

"Last year we only had one positive, so that was good," said Cory Kirkland, the Administrator of the Southeastern Alabama Public Health Department. "This year so far, we have two, and we worked over 140 exposures on it."

Over the past few weeks, several animals in the Wiregrass tested positive for rabies. A bat and a raccoon tested positive in Houston County. A raccoon was found with rabies in a public park in Headland, and a horse tested positive for the disease in rural Coffee County.

The number of rabies cases in Alabama has been lower in the past two-plus years, but Kirkland shared that Alabamians who own pets must be mindful to get t

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