Rabies Alert for a Portion of Davie, Florida~
By Nina Levine
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) issued a rabies alert for a portion of Davie, Florida. This is in response to an additional feral cat that tested positive on July 27, 2022.
All residents and visitors in Broward County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Broward County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public. Please be aware that rabies can also occur outside the alert area.
This rabies alert is for 120 days. The alert includes the following boundaries in Broward County:
- S.W. 36th Court to the North
- Florida Turnpike to the East
- Orange Drive to the South
- Davie Road to the West
An animal with rabies could infect domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against
rabies. 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 preventive measure for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies
immunization. Rabies prophylaxis started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
- Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets and at-risk livestock.
- Do not allow your pets to run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and livestock secured on your property. If your pet or livestock are bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Animal Control Services for your jurisdiction.
- Support animal control in efforts to reduce feral and stray animal populations.
- Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be
properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with outdoor food sources
such as uncovered trash or litter.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Teach children never 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.
- Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek
medical attention and report the injury to the DOH- Broward at (954) 467-4700.
For further information on rabies, go to http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and conditions/rabies/index.html.
The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida
through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida
Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.