After a feral cat in Davie tested positive for rabies on Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health in Broward County put out a rabies alert.
The alert will last for 60 days and includes the following boundaries:
Southwest 36th Court to the north
Florida’s Turnpike to the east
Orange Drive to the south
Davie Road to the west
The health department advised people to be aware that rabies can occur outside the bounded area as well, and to maintain heightened awareness throughout Broward County. Rabies most often spreads to animals or humans through bites.
If untreated, rabies is a fatal disease of the nervous system that can affect warm-blooded animals and humans. Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal or believes they have been exposed to rabies should seek medical attention immediately and report the injury to the Broward Department of Health at 954-467-4700.
If exposure occurs, there are effective treatments that can protect someone from the disease if they seek help in a timely manner.
“Animals with rabies may show strange behavior — they can be aggressive, attacking for no apparent reason, or act very tame [especially wild animals],” the Department of Health says. “They may not be able to eat, drink or swallow. They may drool because they cannot swallow their saliva. They may stagger or become paralyzed. Eventually they will die.”
Bats and raccoons carry the disease most commonly in Florida, according to the Department of Health, but people should also avoid foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. Outside cats contract rabies more often than other domestic animals because they are not always kept up-to-date on their shots, the department says.
Owners of domestic pets or at-risk livestock should make sure their animals are up to date on their vaccines. Avoid contact with wildlife for both you and your pets, and never feed wild or stray animals.
If your animal is exposed to rabies, the Department of Health asks pet owners to take the following precautions:
Do not examine your pet for injuries without wearing gloves.
Wash your pet with soap and water to remove saliva from the attacking animal.
Do not let your animal come into contact with other animals or people until the situation can be handled by animal control or county health department staff.
For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health website.
Staff writer Olivia Lloyd can be reached at olloyd@sunsentinel.com
