A rabies alert has been issued for a portion of Pasco County by Mike Napier, county health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County.
The rabies alert has been issued for an area that’s generally west of Morris Bridge Road, south of State Road 54, east of Ashton Oaks Boulevard and north of Chancey Road.
The alert came in response to a raccoon that tested positive for rabies on Oct. 3, according to a health department news release.
Residents should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk, if they’re not vaccinated, the release says.
The public is being asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Pasco County.
While the alert designates a specific area of Pasco for heightened awareness, officials want to be sure that residents don’t have a false sense of security in areas that are not named in the alert.
The rabies alert is effective for 60 days.
All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease.
To reduce potential exposure to rabies:
- Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
- If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals by leaving pet food outside, or garbage cans open.
- Do not adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Teach children not to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
- If you are bitten by any animal seek care promptly. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Go to your family doctor or hospital for medical attention immediately.
- Contact Pasco County Animal Services at (727) 834-3216, (813) 929-1212, or (352) 521-5194 to report animal bites or scratches and for information on stray dogs and cats.
- Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (863) 648-3203 for concerns about wild animals.
For further information on rabies, go to the Florida Department of Health website http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/rabies/rabies-index.html or contact Florida Department of Health Pasco County, (352) 521-1450, Ext. 344.
Published Oct. 11, 2017
