Health officials confirm second case of rabies within Winter Park area
WINTER PARK, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - A neighborhood in Winter Park has confirmed a second case of rabies.
According to the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, another cae of rabies has been found in the same Winter Park neighborhood where a rabies alert was issued earlier this month. The first case was issued on March 14th for the neighborhood at Staunton Avenue and Biscayne Drive.
This new rabies alert is reportedly active for another 60 days or until further notice. It affects the area east of Interstate 4 (I-4), west of Orlando Avenue, south of Lee Road, and north of Orange Avenue.
This time, a raccoon tested positive for rabies, the department said. The identified animal may have infected other animals in the area so residents should avoid contact with all stray or wild animals.
Residents and visitors in the affected area of Winter Park should know that rabies is present in the wild animal population. Domestic animals who are not vaccinated are at risk.
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system. It can cause paralysis and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The virus is spread through saliva. Humans may be infected through a bite wound, scratch, or exposure of a fresh cut to saliva of a rabid animal.
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 your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and report the incident to Orange County Animal Services (407) 254-9150.
- Call your local animal control agency to remove any 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 contact Orange County Animal Services at 407-254-9150.
For more information on rabies, visit the Florida Department of Health website or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
This story was written out of Orlando, Florida.
More HEALTH news: