A rabies alert was issued Monday for a portion of Fort Lauderdale after a raccoon tested positive.
The rabies alert covers the following areas and lasts for 60 days:
SW 9th Street to the North; I-95 to the West; South Fork of the New River to the East; South Fork of the New River to the South
All residents and visitors of Broward should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated, the Florida Department of Health in Broward County said.
Residents and visitors are advised to take a number of precautions, such as making sure vaccinations for pets and livestock are up-to-date and to not allow pets to run free.
Rabies virus can cause a nearly 100% fatal illness in humans and other mammals. The virus is present in some wildlife in Florida and can spread to unvaccinated pets, which then pose a high risk to the pet owner and their family. The main wildlife sources of rabies in Florida are raccoons and bats. Infected raccoons and bats can expose people, pets, livestock and other wildlife to rabies, typically through bites. Outside cats are by far the most common domestic animal found to have rabies in the state of Florida largely because they are often not kept up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Dogs, cats and ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies in the state of Florida.
Some actions people and their families can take to prevent from being exposed to rabies include avoiding direct contact with wildlife, not feeding wildlife, consulting with a veterinarian to ensure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations, and supervising pets and young children while outside. If you believe you may have been exposed to rabies, contact your health care provider and your county health department right away. If an exposure occurred, there is effective treatment that can prevent infections in people if administered in a timely manner. From Florida Department of Health Rabies Prevention TIPS
