MARIETTA - Police confirmed Wednesday that a cat that bit a child in Marietta has rabies and has been running around with other stray animals near Whitlock Avenue and McDonald Street. Health officials are urging residents to take precautions.

Marietta Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Murphy said the child's family brought the stray, rabid cat into their home a few months ago before recently realizing it was ill. The family took the cat to a veterinarian and it tested positive for rabies.

A health official said Wednesday that the entire family is undergoing the normal treatment of multiple shots.

Murphy said she did not know when the cat bit the child or may have scratched other family members.

"The cat was originally a stray, and we've been told it runs around with other stray cats in the area, so that's why Cobb Animal Control is seeking to trap the other cats and why we are informing the public on rabies prevention," Murphy said.

Cobb and Douglas Public Health Information Coordinator Darlene Foote said that while the chance of a human contracting rabies from an infected animal is unlikely, residents should be careful when taking in stray animals. She urges residents to be sure to seek medical attention if they are scratched or bitten by an animal that has a potential rabies exposure.

To prevent rabies, Foote suggests that all dogs, cats and ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies, and residents should consider vaccinating livestock and horses. Also, people should avoid letting animals roam free to reduce their risk of rabies exposure. Spaying or neutering pets can reduce their tendency to roam or fight.

Foote also suggests that people avoid feeding pets outside, as empty bowls will attract wild and stray animals; keep garbage securely covered; do not keep wild animals such as raccoons, bats and foxes as pets; tell children to never handle unfamiliar animals; and if an animal is seen acting aggressively, report it to animal control.