Health Officials Issue Rabies Alert

ALACHUA COUNTY - The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County has issued a rabies alert for Northwest Alachua County in an area between Newberry and High Springs along State Road 45 (U.S. HWY 27). This is in response to a stray cat that tested positive on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.

 

All residents and visitors in Alachua County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population, and domestic animals are at risk if they are not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Alachua County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not get a false sense of security in areas that have not been named as under an alert.

 

The recent rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the rabies alert is the intersection of Northwest 62nd Avenue and State Road 45 (U.S. HWY 27) and is within the following boundaries in Alachua County:

 

• Northwest 78th Avenue (County Road 232), High Springs
• Northwest 266th Street, High Springs
• Northwest 46th Avenue, Newberry
• Northwest 234th Street, Newberry

 

An animal with rabies could infect other wild or 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 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.

 

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

 

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If a wild animal bites your pet, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6880.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove stray animals from your neighborhood.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans 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 Florida Department of Health in Alachua County at 352-334-7930.

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