Rabies confirmed in raccoon captured near Wewahitchka

The Gulf County health Department issued a rabies alert on Monday after confirming a rabid raccoon in the Wewahitchka area.

The animal was found near Midway Park Drive along the Gulf and Calhoun county line. 

The rabies alert is for 60 days.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans; it can be spread through a bite or scratch or even through the saliva of an infected animal.

All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

 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.

http://live.oysterradio.com/