Health Officials Urge Residents to Avoid Contact with Wild and Stray Animals

Crawfordville- The Florida Department of Health in Wakulla County (DOH-Wakulla) urges residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure.

In Florida, raccoons, bats, foxes and unvaccinated cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats, and stray or unvaccinated dogs and ferrets. Each year, Wakulla receives reports of rabid animals. Most recently, 4 sick foxes have been seized in Wakulla in the last two weeks. 

“Rabies is a potentially fatal disease. It is important not to handle wild animals, to be aware of unusual acting animals (appearing disoriented, walking in circles, being unafraid of humans, etc.), and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies.” said Floyd Williams, Environmental Health Director.

Rabies is transmitted through exposure to the saliva and nervous tissue from a rabid animal through a bite, scratch, or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. DOH-Wakulla works with Wakulla Animal Services in responding to incidents of animal bites, testing animals for rabies through the Department of Health state laboratory, and quarantines animals as necessary.

The following are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones against rabies:

·         Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets. This is typically an annual requirement.

·         Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Wakulla Animal Services at 850-926-0902.

·         Call Wakulla Animal Services to remove any stray domestic animals from your neighborhood. For suspicious wild animals, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-245-7710.

·         Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.

·         Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.  Do not leave your pet’s food outside.  This will attract strays and wildlife.

·         Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.

·         Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.

·         Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.

Unusual acting domestic animals should be reported to Wakulla Animal Services at 850-926-0902 for handling. Anyone who is bitten or scratched by wild animals or strays should report the incident to their doctor immediately, as well as Wakulla Animal Services and their local health department. To report an animal bite to DOH-Wakulla call 850-926-0400.

For further information on rabies, go to http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html, or contact DOH-Wakulla at 850-926-0400.

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