MOORE COUNTY, N.C. -- Positive rabies results in parts of the Sandhills region are on target to be higher than 2017, according to the North Carolina State Health Department.

• State officials announced a third case of rabies in Harnett County Tuesday
• Health officials said all of the animals that have tested positive for rabies are wildlife
• Symptoms in humans and animals include problems with the nervous system, aggression and salivation

State officials announced a third case of rabies in Harnett County Tuesday compared to the two cases it saw last year. There are now five cases in Moore County versus the two it saw in 2017.

Health officials said all of the animals that have tested positive for rabies are wildlife.

If bitten, Moore County's Animal Shelter attendant, Megan Baker said symptoms in humans and animals include problems with the nervous system, aggression and salivation. If untreated, the disease can lead to death.

"There is a timeline," Baker said. "I think it's six or seven days you have to start treatment in that window or rabies is fatal. It can still kill you even with vaccines at doctors' offices and emergency rooms."

Some ways to reduce the chances of humans and their pets getting rabies include: keeping pets up to date on vaccinations, not feeding wildlife and keeping pets indoors as much as possible.