A dog in Chicago tested positive for rabies on Friday, marking the first reported rabid dog in Cook County in 61 years after the animal bit one person, health officials said.

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The animal, described as less than a year old and adopted from a local rescue, had shown escalating behavioral problems before the diagnosis, officials said. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced the case and Cook County Animal Control is in touch with owners of the dog’s littermates.

State and county agencies laid out a timeline of events that began when the dog bit a person on Dec. 11. The animal’s behavior intensified by Dec. 16, with signs that included growling, snapping, increased barking and anxiety, and it was euthanized two days later on Dec. 18.

The dog had been vaccinated for rabies in June, according to the account provided to public health officials. Tests confirming the rabies diagnosis were returned on Friday, prompting an official review of potential exposures and contacts.

“evaluating any people in contact with the dog,” said an official with the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control has confirmed the case and is coordinating follow-up, including outreach to people who may have been exposed and communication with owners of littermates; the department’s statement is available on its website.

Local agencies are handling public-health steps that typically follow a confirmed animal rabies case: identifying and notifying contacts, assessing the need for post-exposure prophylaxis, and tracing recent animal contacts. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced it is investigating the incident.

PAWS Chicago and other rescue partners were identified in coverage of the dog’s recent history; the animal had been adopted from a local rescue before the December events that led to testing. Cook County Animal Control has said it is reaching out to the owners of the littermates to monitor potential spread among the cohort.

Officials noted the behavioral signs that often prompt concern in suspected rabies cases: increased aggression, unusual vocalization and anxiety. Those observations, combined with the bite and the laboratory confirmation, led to the decision to euthanize the animal on Dec. 18.

The case marks a rare occurrence for Cook County. Public health authorities described it as the first reported rabid dog in the county in 61 years and have emphasized the steps they are taking to identify and evaluate contacts.

The Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Animal Control said they will continue investigations and follow-up as needed, including monitoring people and animals who had direct contact with the dog.

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Original reporting: view the original article.