Health officials issue Rabies alert in Nassau County after otter tested positive for virus

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — Residents and visitors in northwest Nassau County, beware.

The Nassau County Health Department issued a rabies alert Monday morning, after an  otter tested positive for rabies. The alert will expire after 60 days.  

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The rabies alert includes the following areas in Nassau County:

• St. Mary's River to the North and East
• US Hwy 1 the West
• County Road 121 and Tracy Road to the South

Health officials say all pets need to be vaccinated against rabies and should avoid contact with wildlife, such as 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, officials said. "The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization." 
People in the area are asked to take the following precautions:

•  Call the Nassau Humane Society or Nassau County Animal Services to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
•  Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
• If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Nassau County Animal Services at 904-530-6150, or the Nassau Humane Society at 904-491-0122 for incidents in the city of Fernandina Beach.
•  Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.    

For more information, click here.

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