Rabies alert issued in Gulf County

The Gulf County health Department issued a rabies alert on Friday the after they received confirmation that two wild animals in the Wewahitchka area tested positive for the virus.

The animals that tested positive were a raccoon, found near Douglas Landing in Dalkeith and a fox found near the cross section of Highway 71 and Jehu Road.

      

Rabies is a fatal disease it can be spread through a bite or scratch or even through the saliva of an infected animal.

The health department is urging all pet owners to make sure their animals rabies shots are up to date.

Under Florida law dogs and cats over 4 months of age must be currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. 

An animal with an expired rabies certificate is “unvaccinated.” 

An animal given their vaccine by a person other than a licensed veterinarian is also considered “unvaccinated.” 

To avoid rabies, supervise your animals when they are outdoors.  Don’t let pets “roam the neighborhood.”

Stay away from stray or wild animals!  Do not touch dogs or cats that are not yours. 

Never touch a bat and Never feed raccoons. 

Raccoons are a high-risk rabies vector and feeding them diminishes their fear of humans and encourages them to frequent areas where they may come into contact with your family or pets. 

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