The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County issued a rabies alert on Tuesday discovering three raccoons with confirmed cases southwest of the city of Alachua.

The county press release stated the raccoons were captured in an area southwest of Alachua and State Road 45 (US Highway 27) last week and all residents and visitors should be aware that rabies may be present in the wild animal population. The rabies alert is for 60 days.

The rabies alert is centered around the intersection of NW 226 Street/NW 234^th Street and NW 94^th Avenue southwest of the city of Alachua. It includes the following boundaries in Alachua County:

• South of Northwest 122nd Avenue, Alachua
• East of Northwest State Road 45 (HWY 27), Alachua
• North of Northwest 78th Avenue, Alachua
• West of Northwest 202nd Street, Alachua

The Department of Health (DOH) warns that people and domestic animals should avoid physical contact with wild animals (e.g. bobcats, coyotes, otters, skunks, foxes, bats).

Take the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure:

• Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6880.
• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans or other food sources. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Alachua by calling 352-334-7930.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator​. 
• Call your local animal control agency to remove stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6880.
• Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.
• Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other areas where they might contact people and pets.

For more information on rabies, visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or contact DOH-Alachua at 352-334-7930.