Tampa, Fla. (970 WFLA) - The Florida Department of Health has issued a rabies alert for the Plant City area, after a black and white, domestic short hair cat tested positive for rabies on February 15. The rabies alert is for 60 days. This is the first confirmed rabid animal in the county this year.
The center of the rabies alert is at Holly Bluff Ct., Plant City, FL 33566, and includes the following boundaries in Hillsborough County: North boundary: East Alexander Street West boundary: James L Redman Parkway East boundary: Jap Tucker Road and Jim Johnson Road South boundary: East Sparkman Road.
Everyone in Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough County.
Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not get a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert. 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.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center at (813) 744-5660.
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 Hillsborough County at (813) 307-8059.
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Photo Credit:Fl. Dept. of Health