Rabies Alert Issued In Polk County After Raccoon Tests Positive

LAKELAND, FL — State health officials on Monday issued a rabies alert for the Kathleen area of Lakeland after a raccoon tested positive for the deadly disease.

"All residents and visitors in Polk County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated," explained the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. "The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Polk County."

The rabies alert will be in effect for 60 days. The following boundaries are included in the alert:

• North boundary: West Socrum Loop Road west to the Hillsborough County border
• South boundary: Knights Station Road
• East boundary: U.S. 98
• West boundary: Hillsborough County border

"Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public," health officials explained. "Please be aware that rabies activities can also occur outside the alert area."

Two donkeys were placed in quarantine Friday after one of the donkeys was found with a dead raccoon in its mouth that tested positive for rabies. It was the first confirmed rabies case of 2019 in Polk County and the second since Dec. 28.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section said that the results of the rabies test came back Friday. Officials said that the incident occurred on Wednesday.

"A woman visiting a residence on Hammockview Drive in Lakeland noticed a donkey with an animal in its mouth," the sheriff's office said earlier. "When she came back outside with the homeowner, they discovered that the animal was a dead raccoon, so they contacted Animal Control."

The homeowner did not know which donkey had the raccoon in its mouth so both donkeys were placed in a six-month quarantine.

There were three confirmed rabies cases in Polk County in 2018, including the December incident in which a raccoon tested positive for rabies after biting a Chihuahua on Glenoak Drive in Lakeland, according to the sheriff's office.

Fortunately, the dog already had its rabies vaccination, but was to remain quarantined for 45 days in its owner's house.

To report a possible exposure, call the PCSO Animal Control Section at 863.577.1762.

Rabies is described by the World Health Organization as an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical signs.

The Florida Department of Health reports that the virus can spread to unvaccinated pets, which then pose a high risk to the pet owner and their family.

Here are some tips from the Department of Health to avoid exposure:

• 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 contact
• Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans.
• Do not leave food sources out for wildfire such as pet food or unsecured garbage.
• Avoid contact with stray and feral animals.
• 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 PCSO Animal Control Section at 863.577.1762.

"The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization," health officials cautioned. "Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease."

Raccoon from Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica