Florida: Rabies alert issued, rabid cat identified near Epcot

Health officials in Orange County, FL have issued a rabies alert after a feral cat tested positive in the area.

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County issued a 60-day rabies alert for a two mile radius around the intersection of Interstate 4 and Epcot Center Drive in southwest Orange County.

The identified cat may have infected other animals in the area. Contact with feral cats, stray dogs and all wildlife particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes should be avoided.

If you or a family member has been bitten or scratched by a cat in the rabies alert area of southwest Orange County or if you know anyone bitten or scratched by a cat or wildlife, you should seek medical attention and contact Orange County Animal Services at (407) 254-9150.

Residents and visitors in this area of southwest Orange County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population, and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in this area of southwest Orange County.

Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public. This alert should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named under this alert. This rabies alert is for 60 days or until further notice.

Domestic or wild animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies could be infected by an animal that has rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies.