Rabies Alert Issued In New Port Richey After Cat Tests Positive

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A rabies alert has been issued for west-central Pasco County after a cat tested positive for the disease on Tuesday.

The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Pasco County. The alert is for 60 days in an area bounded by Ridge Road on the north, Midvale Avenue on the south, the Cotee River on the west and Moon Lake Road on the East.

All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm-blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization.

For information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County at 352-521-1450, option 4.