4th Rabies Case Reported In Hillsborough County

TAMPA, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is warning all residents to take care after the fourth rabies case of 2017 was recently confirmed in Tampa. The latest case involves a domestic cat that was exposed to the deadly virus.

“All residents of Hillsborough County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated,” Steve Huard, the agency’s spokesman, wrote in the Thursday email. “The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Hillsborough County.”

Get the Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox.

The domestic cat involved in the newest rabies alert in the county lived in the Carmen Court area of Tampa, which is near East 142nd Avenue in the University area. A rabies alert has been issued for the area surrounding Carmen Court. The boundaries are as follows:

• North – Bearss Avenue
• East – Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
• South – East Fletcher Avenue
• West – North Nebraska Avenue

Two of the other three cases reported this year were uncovered in the Lutz area. The third was in Carrollwood.

Alerts, Huard said, are meant to increase awareness. They should not, however, “give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert.”

The newest alert will remain in effect for 60 days.

With rabies on the rise, the county is urging pet owners to get their animals vaccinated.

“An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies,” Huard’s email said. “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 affects the nervous system and is considered fatal to warm-blooded animals, including humans. Exposed humans must undergo a series of shots as quickly as possible to avoid potentially fatal symptoms.

Rabies Advice For Pet Owners

The health department recommends people take the following steps to safeguard against rabies:

• Keep all pets up to date on their rabies vaccines
• If a pet is bitten by a wild animal, contact a vet immediately or the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center at 813-744-5660
• Do not handle, feed or try to attract wild animals
• Keep garbage cans properly sealed
• Do not adopt wild animals or bring them into a home
• Teach children to steer clear of unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic
• Prevent bats from entering homes and other occupied spaces by sealing up any exposed entry points
• People who are bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report injuries to the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at 813-307-8059.

For more information about rabies, visit the health department online.

Image via Shutterstock