ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County has issued a rabies advisory following a confirmed case of rabies in a raccoon in St. Augustine.
The infected raccoon was killed on Aug. 28 near Queen Road and U.S. Highway 1 in St. Johns County.
Health officials are monitoring rabies among local wild animals and warning residents and visitors that the virus may currently be present in the area’s wildlife population.
Physical contact with wild animals carries a higher risk of human exposure, though receiving proper post-exposure medical treatment protects individuals against rabies.
Officials advise residents to keep pets and livestock immunized according to veterinarian recommendations. Pets should remain under direct supervision and on a leash, while livestock should be secured on private property.
If an animal bites a pet or livestock, owners should seek immediate veterinary care and contact St. Johns County Animal Control at 904-209-6190.
Residents should avoid physical contact with wild or stray animals, including raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. Health officials emphasize that wild animals should never be handled, fed, adopted or brought into homes and licensed wildlife rehabilitators should be contacted instead.
Property owners are also advised to prevent wildlife and bats from entering living quarters, schools and occupied spaces. Outdoor pet food, open garbage cans and other food sources should be secured to avoid unintentionally attracting animals.
Local animal control can be called at 904-209-6190 to remove stray animals from neighborhoods.
Anyone who is bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal should seek medical attention immediately and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County by calling 904-506-6081.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
