Gulf County Rabies Warning

WEWAHITCHKA, Florida (WJHG / WECP) – The Gulf County Florida Division of Well being has issued a warning about rabies in Gulf County in response to a fox that examined optimistic on June 22, in keeping with a press launch.

The Division of Well being stories {that a} man was attacked by a fox close to Freeway 71 and Church Avenue in Vevakhichka. The rabies warning is legitimate for 60 days.

The Florida Division of Well being advises residents to be particularly cautious when outdoor and all the time concentrate on their environment. All Gulf County residents and guests needs to be conscious that rabies is current within the wildlife inhabitants, and pets are in danger if not vaccinated. Officers say the warnings are meant to lift public consciousness, however they need to not create a false sense of safety in areas not named as endangered.

An animal contaminated with rabies can infect different wild or home animals that haven’t been vaccinated towards rabies. All pets needs to be vaccinated towards rabies, and any contact with wild animals, together with raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, species, lynx and coyotes, needs to be prevented.

Rabies is a illness of the nervous system and is lethal to warm-blooded animals and people. The one remedy for rabies is rabies immunoglobulin and rabies immunization. Acceptable remedy, began shortly after irradiation, will defend the sufferer from the illness.

Listed here are some suggestions from the Florida Division of Well being

– Continually replace the rabies vaccine for all pets.

• In case your pet is bitten by a wild animal, search veterinary assist for the animal instantly and get in touch with the county animal welfare service at 850-227-1115.

• Name your native animal management company to take away stray animals out of your space.

• Don’t deal with, feed or by chance appeal to wild animals by leaving pet meals on the road or in rubbish cans.

• By no means take wild animals or deliver them into your own home.

• Train youngsters by no means to deal with unfamiliar animals, wild or home, even when they appear pleasant.

• Forestall bats from coming into residing quarters or premises in homes, church buildings, faculties and different comparable premises the place they might come into contact with folks and pets.

• Individuals bitten or scratched by wild or home animals ought to search medical consideration and report the harm to the Gulf County Division of Well being at 850-227-1276.

For extra details about the Florida Division of Well being in Gulf County, go to gulf.floridahealth.gov

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