Florida Department of Health issues rabies alert for Osceola after case in cat

A case of rabies has been confirmed in a cat captured Monday in the Mill Creek Woods area of ​​Osceola County, the Florida Department of Health announced in a press release Thursday.

The Osceola Department of Health monitors rabies among wildlife in the area. The agency warns residents and visitors that rabies is currently present in the wildlife population.

People and pets should always avoid physical contact with wild animals — raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes — because they pose a higher risk to humans and require rabies treatment after exposure, the agency said. If a person is exposed to rabies, appropriate post-exposure treatment will protect you from the risk of rabies.

The Osceola Health Department said the warning is in effect for 60 days and includes the following county boundaries: to the north: 522 E. Osceola Parkway, to the south: U.S. Highway 192-Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, to the east: Florida’s Turnpike and to the west: S. John Young Parkway.

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According to the state Department of Health, 64 cases of rabies in animals were reported in 2023, including one in Osceola County, six in Orange County and three in Seminole County.

Take the following precautions to prevent infection with rabies:

• Vaccinate your pets and livestock according to the vaccination schedule recommended by your veterinarian.
• Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock safe on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek immediate veterinary attention for the animal and contact Osceola Animal Services at 407-742-8000.
• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not touch them, feed them, or inadvertently attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other food sources. If you are bitten or scratched by a wild or domesticated animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Osceola at 407-343-2155.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instead.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Osceola Animal Services at 407-742-8000.
• Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering residential or occupied areas in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they may come into contact with people and pets.