Health officials in Escambia County, Florida issued a rabies alert for the whole county. The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia)  received a positive test result for rabies in a raccoon which was anonymously left in a box outside of a local wildlife sanctuary.

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The following immediate action should be taken:

  1. The individual(s) who left the raccoon should be immediately evaluated by a medical professional for rabies exposure. They are also requested to contact FDOH-Escambia’s Epidemiology Program staff by calling 850-595-6683.
  2. Any individuals who have been bitten or scratched by a raccoon, or other animal whose rabies vaccination status is unknown, should be immediately evaluated by a medical professional and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County at 850-595-6700.

This alert covers all of Escambia County and will last for 60 days.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is usually fatal to warm-blooded animals and to humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.