Rabies alert issued for area southwest of City of Alachua

Press release from Alachua County on behalf of Florida Department of Health in Alachua County

ALACHUA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua) is monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area. This is in response to a confirmed case of rabies in three raccoons that were captured in the southwest area of the City of Alachua near State Road 45 (U.S. HWY 27) in Alachua County last week. All residents and visitors should be aware that rabies may be currently present in the wild animal population.

People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals (e.g., raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes), which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment. If you are exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies.

The center of the rabies alert is the intersection of NW 94th Avenue and NW 226nd Street/NW 234th Street in Alachua. This rabies alert is for 60 days. 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

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.