HEALTH OFFICERS ISSUE RABIES ALERT

By:
On:
In: Solid waste issue

HEALTH OFFICERS ISSUE RABIES ALERT

Media contact:
Wendi Jackson, Public Information Specialist
[email protected]

Port Orange, Florida. – The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County has issued a rabies alert for southeastern parts of Port Orange. This is in response to a cat that tested positive for rabies on June 8.

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

The recent rabies alert is 60 days. The Rabies Alert Center is between Harbor Road and N. Dixie Freeway in Port Orange, and includes the following boundaries

  1. Eastern boundary, Halifax River body of water
  2. Northern boundary, Rose Bay body of water
  3. Southern boundary, Spruce Creek Waterbody
  4. Western Boundary, East Coast Florida Railroads

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 fatal nervous system disease in warm-blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is specific rabies immunoglobulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after exposure will protect an exposed person from 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 encounter wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (386) 239-VCSO.
  • Call your local animal control agency to remove all stray animals from your neighborhood.
  • Not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
  • Never adopt wild animals or bring them home.
  • teaching children never to handle unknown animals, wild or domestic, even if they seem friendly.
  • Prevent bats from entering dwellings or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas, where they may encounter people and pets.
  • People who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Volusia County Florida Department of Health at (386) 274-0634.

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

About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, strives to protect, promote, and improve the health of all Florida residents through the integrated efforts of the state, county and community.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyVolusia. For more information, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov