Health authorities issue rabies alert

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Edgewater, Florida – The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOH-Volusia) has issued a rabies alert for parts of Edgewater, Florida. This is in response to a cat that tested positive for rabies on November 11, 2021.

All residents and visitors to Volusia County should be aware that rabies is present in the wildlife population and that pets are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is urged to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Volusia County. Alerts are designed to educate the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been designated as alerted.

The recent rabies alert is 60 days. The rabies alert epicenter at the nearest intersection is S. Riverside Dr. and Ridgewood Ave. Edgewater, FL and includes the following limits:

  1. Eastern border, the Indian River body of water
  2. North border, Indian River Boulevard, 442
  3. Southern limit, 26e Street and 27e St.
  4. West border, Juniper Drive
  • Affected areas include: Read Edgewater, Mariners Gate, Friendly Shores, Pelican Cove, Pelican Cove West, Silver Ridge, Majestic Oaks.

An animal with rabies could infect other wild or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All pets should be vaccinated against rabies and contact with wildlife should be avoided, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal in warm-blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immunoglobulin and rabies vaccination. Appropriate treatment started soon after exposure will protect an exposed person from disease.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to take the following precautions:

  • Maintain rabies vaccinations for all pets.
  • Keep your pets under direct supervision so that they do not come into contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, immediately seek veterinary assistance for the animal and your animal services division by calling the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office elective line at 386-248-1777.
  • Call your local animal control agency to remove all stray animals from your neighborhood.
  • Not unintentionally handling, feeding, or attracting wildlife with open trash cans or litter.
  • Never adopt wild animals or bring them to your home.
  • Teaching children never handle unfamiliar, wild or domestic animals, even if they appear friendly.
  • Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces of homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they may come into contact with people and pets.
  • People who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should see a doctor and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County at 386-274-0634.

For more information on rabies, visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html.

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About the Florida Department of Health

The department, accredited at national level by the Public health accreditation office, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all Florida residents through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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