By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

Flagler County

The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County issued a rabies alert for Bunnell and the Korona community in response to a raccoon that tested positive on February 9 after attacking a dog.

Raccoon image/CDC

The recent rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the alert is near Old Cemetery Road in Korona, an unincorporated community north northeast of Favoretta on US 1 and south of Bunnell.

The last rabies alert the Flagler Health Department issued was in February 2010.

Marion County

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County wants Zuber area residents to be aware that a raccoon in their area has tested positive for rabies. People who live or work in the Zuber area, particularly those who live south of Northwest 69th Street, west of Northwest 38th Avenue, north of Northwest 45th Street and east of Northwest 57th Avenue, should maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in the area.

Rabies: Clinical Considerations and Exposure Evaluations

Rabies

An animal with rabies could infect other wild or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and 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.

Residents and visitors of the above areas are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Avoid all contact with wildlife, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
  • Never handle unfamiliar animals (wild or domestic), even if they appear friendly.
  • Do not feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or trash.
  • Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
  • Keep pets under direct supervision so they do not come into contact with wild animals.
  • Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas where they might encounter people and pets.

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