Rabies Alert Issued For North Escambia; Person Bit By Rabid Fox, Rabid Raccoons Found

August 21, 2009

The Escambia County Health Department has issued a Rabies Alert for North Escambia after one person was bit by a rabid fox and two raccoons that bit dogs  tested positive for rabies.

Robert Merritt, director of environmental health for the health department, said that a dog was bitten by a rabid raccoon on Crabtree Church Road in Molino in May, and a dog was bitten by a rabid raccoon on Handy Road in Cottage Hill this month. He said a fox that bit a person somewhere in North Escambia this month also tested positive for rabies, but, due to patient privacy laws, he was not able to identify in which community the incident occurred.

The dogs bitten by the rabid raccoons were quarantined; while the person bitten by the rabid fox is undergoing treatment.

rabiesalert.jpgDr. John Lanza, Director of the Escambia County Health Department today issued a rabies alert for the central to northern geographical region of Escambia County, Florida.  This is in response to three wild animals that tested positive for rabies.

Escambia residents 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 Escambia County.  Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert.

This rabies alert will last for 60 days and covers all of central and northern Escambia County from Muscogee Road north to the Alabama State line.

An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies.  All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and humans should avoid all wildlife contact, especially with raccoons, bats, and foxes.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is usually fatal to warm-blooded animals and to 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.

The following advice is issued:

o All pets should have current rabies immunizations.
o Avoid contact with all wildlife, especially raccoons, bats, and foxes.
o All persons with any unusual exposure incident, or bites, with a wild animal should be evaluated by a physician to determine their need for treatment.
o For general questions pertaining to rabies in animals, contact the Escambia County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at (850) 595-6700.
o Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
o Do not leave pet food outside as this practice also attracts other animals.
o For questions regarding the health of an animal, contact a veterinarian.
o Veterinarian staff and animal control staff should be alert for animals encountered with signs suspicious for rabies and contact the Escambia County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at (850) 595-6700.

For further information on rabies, go to the Florida Department of Health website:  http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/epi/diseases.htm or contact the Escambia County Health Department, Environmental Health office at (850) 595-6700.

Comments

2 Responses to “Rabies Alert Issued For North Escambia; Person Bit By Rabid Fox, Rabid Raccoons Found”

  1. mommy2beautifulgirls on August 22nd, 2009 11:34 pm

    thanks! i have 3 cats are sometimes outdoors and i do have them vaccinated

  2. EMD on August 21st, 2009 1:08 pm

    All of us need to heed this advice. If a wild animal (or a domestic one that is acting funny), bites someone, get help ASAP. I know a wonderful child in this area who was bitten several years ago, and did not get help right away. Please be safe, not sorry. The damage is permanent, and can be fatal.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News