The Florida Department of Health in Osceola County Friday issued a public alert following confirmation of rabies in a cat that was euthanized last week in the St. Cloud area.
The cat came from the Carolina Avenue area. In order to make all residents and visitors aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population, a rabies alert has been issued for the next 60 days in an area bounded by:
- Lakeshore Boulevard to the north
- Fertic Road to the south
- Old Hickory Tree Road to the east
- Wisconsin Avenue to the west
DOH-Osceola is monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area, and encourages people and domestic animals to avoid physical contact with wild animals (raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes), which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment.
If you are exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies.
The DOH-Osceola offers these suggestions to prevent rabies exposure:
- Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.
- Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Osceola Animal Services at 407-742-8000.
- Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other sources of food. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to DOH-Osceola at 407-742-8606.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
- If you have been bitten by such an animal, immediately scrub the wound with lots of soap and running water for 5-10 minutes, get a complete description of the animal and determine where it is so that it can be contained by Osceola Animal Services (reach them at 407-742-8000) for quarantine or rabies testing and go to your health care provider or the nearest emergency room.
- Call Osceola Animal Services to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.
For more information on rabies, visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or contact the DOH-Osceola at 407-742-8606.
