The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County issued a rabies alert on Wednesday for Northwest Alachua County in the area between Newberry and High Springs along US Highway 27/State Road 45. The alert was raised after a stray cat tested positive for rabies on Tuesday.

According to a press release, “All residents and visitors in Alachua County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population, and domestic animals are at risk if they are not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Alachua County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not get a false sense of security in areas that have not been named as under an alert.”

The rabies alert is for 60 days with the center of the alert at the intersection of NW 62nd Avenue and US Highway 27/State Road 45. It is within the following boundaries in the county:

• NW 78th Avenue (County Road 232), High Springs
• NW 266th Street, High Springs
• NW 46th Avenue, Newberry
• NW 234th Street, Newberry

According to the health department, “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 are advised to take the following precautions:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If a wild animal bites your pet, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6880.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove stray animals from your neighborhood.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
• 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. 
• Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County at 352-334-7930.

Click here to learn more about rabies.

For more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County at 352-334-7930 or Alachua County Animal Control at 352-264-6880.