St. Johns County officials urge awareness after woman exposed to rabid bat

Heads up, St. Johns County residents.

The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County is urging everyone to avoid contact with wild and stray animals, after a confirmed case of a rabid animal in the area. DOH-St. Johns says a county resident was exposed to a rabid bat this month and required lifesaving treatment and vaccinations.

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Health officials say the rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately leading to a brain disease that's considered to be nearly 100 percent fatal if left untreated.

The DOH-St. Johns is releasing the following tips to help protect you and your family: 

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets and at-risk livestock.
• Follow local leash laws. Do not allow your pets to run free. Keep pets and livestock secured.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract animals with outdoor food sources such as uncovered trash or litter.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might encounter people and pets.
• If persons are bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals, seek medical attention and report the injury to the DOH-St. Johns County Health Department at 904-209-3250.
• If your pet or livestock are bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact St. Johns County's Division of Animal Control at 904-209-0746.

The DOH- St. Johns says the majority of rabies cases each year occur in animals, such as raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and feral cats.

Cox Media Group